What to Expect:
Myocardial Perfusion Imaging
Stress Test
- Once you arrive in the department a qualified stress nurse will review
your history and answer any questions you may have about the test. Your
nurse will then insert a small IV needle into your arm or hand vein. EKG
leads will be placed on your chest so that we can monitor your heart
during the exam.
- A diagnostic imaging agent will be injected through the IV by the
nuclear medicine technologist. The agent will travel throughout your body
and concentrate in your heart. You will be asked to wait at least 15
minutes and then you will be taken into a camera room for imaging.
- The camera that will take your picture rotates closely around you. If
you are claustrophobic please inform the nurse before the start of your
test. The picture takes approximately 15 minutes. It is important that you
hold still while the picture is being taken.
- Once the picture is complete you will be asked to wait for a period of
time. This time is hard to judge but plan on waiting between 30 to 90
minutes.
- Depending on the type of exam that your physician has ordered, you will
either be exercising several minutes on a treadmill or you will be
injected with a prescribed medication (Dipyridamole/Persantine or
Dobutamine) which will exercise your heart for you. In either case the
purpose is to increase the workload being placed on your heart. During
your exam, the stress nurse and the nuclear medicine technologist will
coach you and closely monitor your ECG and blood pressure.
- It is important that you exercise to the level required. If at any time
during the exam you experience unusual symptoms such as shortness of
breath, chest or arm pain, or lightheadedness, immediately tell someone on
the team.
- Near the end of the exercise or medication infusion, the nuclear
medicine technologist will inject another diagnostic agent into the IV.
This dose will also travel throughout your body and concentrate in your
heart.
- Once the stress portion is complete you will be asked to wait a minimum
of 30 minutes. You will then be taken into the camera room and images of
your heart will be taken again. These images will take approximately 20
minutes.
You should plan on being in the department for 3 to 5 hours on the day
of your test.
Find out more:
For more information about
nuclear cardiology at The Miriam Hospital, call 401-793-4450 or
e-mail MLCampbe@Lifespan.org. Back
| Nuclear cardiology
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