Myocardial Perfusion Scan (Nuclear Medicine)
DEFINITION: Functional images taken of the cardiac anatomy with the use of Nuclear Medicine.
PURPOSE: To diagnose vascular disease or injuries to the heart.
PREPARATION: Normal Diet except no Caffeine.
- Your physician will give instructions concerning your current medications.
- The day of the exam please report to the Outpatient Registration.
- You will then be taken to Respiratory Care. A hepapin lock will be inserted at that time. This lock will facilitate the using of intravenous drugs when needed.
- You will be given a Radioisotope to perform the Stress Test. This is done while being exercised on the Treadmill.
- When the Exercise Test has ended, the Nuclear Medicine Technologist will escort you to Nuclear Medicine to begin the Stress Test. You must wait at least 60 minutes before the Stress Test can begin.
- Three hours later you will be reinjected for the Rest Test. This will be done in Nuclear Medicine You will wait at least 60 minutes before the Rest test can begin.
- At the end of the Rest Test the Exam will be complete.
- This test will take approximately 4.5 hours to complete.
DURING EACH TEST: You will be placed on a special table on your back. You will be made as comfortable as possible during the scan. Your left arm will be resting on your head. A machine will be going around you acquiring the information needed to make computerized Pictures of your heart. It is important that you do not move.
AFTER THE EXAM:
Inpatient: You will be returned to your room.
Outpatient: The Technologist will check the films with the Radiologist, then you will be dismissed. |
