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| Nuclear Cardiology/Radioisotope
Stress Test Nuclear cardiology refers to the use of nuclear medicine or radioisotope techniques to study heart problems. A radioisotope stress test is used to determine whether the heart is getting enough blood. During the “stress” portion of the test, you may be asked to exercise on a treadmill or bicycle. In some cases, the stress will be induced with chemicals such as adenosine or persantine. The chemicals or exercise enlarge (dilate) the blood vessels to the heart. Blood flow is then measured with an ECG test or with a radioisotope tracer that releases small amounts of radiation. Before the test begins, we will start an intravenous (IV) and attach electrodes to your body for ECG monitoring. As the blood vessels dilate, the small amounts of radiation given off by the tracer are detected using a scanning camera. If there is narrowing in the heart’s vessels or they do not enlarge, the tracer to those areas of the heart is decreased. Areas with less “uptake” show up differently and are called defects. Two sets of images are used, one for baseline (rest), and the other (stress portion) to determine if a defect is present. The entire radioisotope stress test takes three to four hours. You may have to return the next day to complete the test. The amount of radiation released is very small and safe. The stress portion of the test is generally safe, but there is always a small amount of risk when the heart is stressed with exercise or chemicals. To prepare for the test, please follow these instructions as well as any other directions your doctor gives you: • No food or drink for at least six hours • Mention any history of asthma or drugs for asthma, especially theophylline. • Do not take an medication containing theophylline for at least 48 before the test • Do not drink any beverages that contain caffeine (coffee, tea, cola, or cocoa) for 24 hours before the test. • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant. • Write down any questions you may have so that you can ask them before the procedure. |