|
What is Coronary Artery Disease? Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) results from inadequate blood supply to the heart, usually caused by blocked arteries. What is a Myocardial Perfusion Imaging Stress Test? Myocardial Perfusion Imaging Stress Testing involves two injections of a small amount of radioactive material, which circulates in the bloodstream and shows if your heart muscle is receiving adequate blood supply under stress and/or rest conditions. The radioactive injection is a clear liquid called Myoview. Another material, which could also be used, is called Thallium. Is a Myocardial Perfusion Imaging Stress Test Safe? Any stress procedure may have some risks, and you should consult with your physician regarding the risks and benefits of the procedure. The radioactive materials Myoview and/or Thallium have been shown to be safe. This test and these materials are routinely used worldwide, under physician supervision, for Myocardial Perfusion Imaging. Neither Myoview nor Thallium are dyes and there are no serious side effects associated from their injections. You are scheduled for a… One Part Exam The test consists of a rest and exercise portion. The entire test will be completed in about 3 hours. An intravenous (I.V.) line will be placed in your arm or hand vein to allow the ease of the Myoview injection. The I.V. will be removed when the test is completed. Myoview will be administered through the I.V. while you are at rest and once again during peak exercise. After the resting injection of the Myoview is administered you will be asked to wait for ½ hour to let the Myoview circulate. Pictures will then be taken of your heart using a special camera able to trace the Myoview that has localized in your heart. You will be asked to lie down on a special table. The camera will rotate around your chest while pictures are being taken, which will take approximately 15 minutes to complete. You may breath normally while the pictures are being taken. It is very important that you do not move or shift your body while the camera takes the pictures of your heart. You will not receive any radiation from the camera. After the resting images of your heart have been completed you will be brought to a treadmill room for the exercise stress test at which time a cardiologist will be available during this procedure. ECG electrodes will be attached to your chest. This will allow the technologist to monitor your heart before, during and after exercise. A blood pressure cuff will be placed on your arm to monitor your blood pressure during this exercise. The exercise part of the test is usually done with a treadmill, similar to a treadmill used at a health club. Exercising will begin slowly and every three minutes the pace and the incline will gradually increase. As you exercise, your heart rate and blood pressure will change. This is normal and remember you are being closely monitored throughout the exercise. At your peak exercise, Myoview will be injected through the I.V. and you will be asked to continue exercising for an additional one or two minutes. After the exercise is completed, the stress pictures are taken in the same manner as the resting pictures. This will complete the testing. A physician will interpret the images and a written report will be sent to the ordering physician. Two Part Exam This test also consists of a rest portion and an exercise portion however with this test the initial stress portion will be done first and the rest portion will be completed about 3 hours later. You will be free to leave the clinic and simply return at the scheduled time to complete the exam. An Intravenous (I.V.) line will be placed in your arm or hand vein to allow the ease of Myoview injection. The I.V. will be removed once the test is completed. ECG electrodes will be attached to your chest. This will allow the technologist to monitor your heart before, during and after exercise. A blood pressure cuff will be placed on your arm to monitor your blood pressure during this exercise. The exercise part of the test is usually done with a treadmill, similar to a treadmill used at a health club. A cardiologist will be available during this procedure. Exercising will begin slowly and every three minutes the pace and the incline will gradually increase. As you exercise, your heart rate and blood pressure will change. This is normal and remember you are being closely monitored throughout the exercise. At your peak exercise, Myoview will be injected through the I.V. and you will be asked to continue exercising for an additional one or two minutes. After the exercise is completed, the stress pictures of your heart will be taken using a special camera able to trace the Myoview that has localized in you heart. You will be asked to lie down on a special table. The camera will rotate around your chest while pictures are being taken of your heart. Each set of pictures will take about 15 minutes. Once your stress pictures are completed the technologist will give you a return time in about 3 hours. You will be able to eat a light lunch. When you return you will receive the resting injection of Myoview through the I.V. After this injection you will asked to wait about 30 minutes for the Myoview to localize and your resting images will follow. This will complete the test. A physician will interpret the images and a written report will be sent to the ordering physician. For Persantine Exam Only Some people, because of a variety of disabilities or effects of medications are unable to exercise adequately on a treadmill to achieve an optimal heart rate. In these cases, an injection of a drug called Persantine can produce an effect on the heart similar to exercise. Your physician will choose this type of stress testing. With This Exam: Clothing: You should wear comfortable clothing for exercise and shoes appropriate for walking. Please shower before the test and do not use any body powders or lotion on your skin. Food/Medication Nothing to eat, drink or smoke except water to take medications, at least 2 hours prior to the test. Absolutely no caffeine (coffee, decaf coffee, beverages, foods and medications that contain caffeine). All medications should be continued, unless otherwise instructed by your physician. If your test is scheduled in the afternoon, please eat a light breakfast and take half your insulin dose. Important Points to Remember Testing is scheduled at our: Bloomfield/Woodward Office Clarkston Office Bloomfield/Kingswood Office Rochester Hills Office Romeo Office Lakes Diagnostic Testing Center REMEMBER: We ask that you contact the office at least 24 hours in advance to reschedule your procedure in the event you can not make your appointment. Thank you. |
