Overview
An exercise stress scan is a test that helps your doctor see if you have coronary artery disease. Coronary artery disease is a narrowing of the blood vessels that supply oxygen to the heart muscle. If the heart muscle does not get enough oxygen, it can cause chest pain, also known as "angina."
During the test, two radioactive tracers, MIBI and Thallium, are used to take pictures of the heart. These tracers are injected into your bloodstream and travel to the heart muscle through the coronary arteries. The pictures we then take of your heart will help your doctor decide if you have coronary artery disease.
Preparation for Your Exam
Do not eat or drink anything containing caffeine for 12 hours before the test. This includes coffee, tea, colas, and chocolate. Please refer to the chart for specifics.
· Nothing by mouth after midnight prior to the exam.
· No Beta Blockers for 24 hours prior to exam.
· Do not smoke for two hours before this test.
· Do not eat anything at all for at least two hours before this test.
· You may drink water at any time.
· Follow your doctor's instructions regarding medication. You may be asked to decrease or stop certain medicines for this test. You should resume your regular medicines after completion of the test. Please bring a complete listing of all your medicines with you.
· If you are diabetic and take insulin, please consult the doctor who manages your insulin for advice about doses before and after this test. Please bring your insulin and syringes to the hospital so you can take the dose recommended by your doctor.
· Discontinue Theophylline derivatives for 48 hours prior to exam.
· Please wear comfortable clothes that break at the waist (a shirt or a blouse) and flat walking shoes or sneakers. Sneakers are strongly recommended. Electrodes will be placed on your chest so that your heart can be monitored during exercise. Women must remove their bras for the procedure. If you wear an unusually large or small size of clothing, please bring your own T-shirt and pants. You will be working hard during this test. Comfortable clothing will make things easier for you.
During The Exam
There are three parts to the test: taking pictures, exercising, and taking more pictures.
1. For the first part of the test, we will put an intravenous (IV) line in your arm. This will feel like a pin-prick, like when you have blood drawn. The thallium is then injected through the IV. You will not feel anything from this injection. We will wait 15 minutes while the thallium circulates in your body. Then, for about thirty minutes while your are lying down, we will take pictures of your heart with a special camera.
2. We will take your blood pressure many times during this part of the test. You will not feel anything when the MIBI is injected.
3. The third part of the test is taking more pictures, this time with the MIBI circulating in the blood. You will lie down as before and the camera will take pictures for about 30 minutes.
4. The test takes a total of 2 1/2 - 3 hours.
Safety Issues
Nuclear medicine procedures are very safe. Your body is able to very quickly eliminate the radioactive materials that are used. The radiation dose from this test is about 2.7 rem. This is about the same dose that you would get from some routine x-rays.
· If you are diabetic and take insulin, please consult the doctor who manages your insulin for advice about doses before and after this test. Please bring your insulin and syringes to the hospital so you can take the dose recommended by your doctor.
· Discontinue Theophylline derivatives for 48 hours prior to exam.
· Please wear comfortable clothes that break at the waist (a shirt or a blouse) and flat walking shoes or sneakers. Sneakers are strongly recommended. Electrodes will be placed on your chest so that your heart can be monitored during exercise. Women must remove their bras for the procedure. If you wear an unusually large or small size of clothing, please bring your own T-shirt and pants. You will be working hard during this test. Comfortable clothing will make things easier for you.
During The Exam
There are three parts to the test: taking pictures, exercising, and taking more pictures.
1. For the first part of the test, we will put an intravenous (IV) line in your arm. This will feel like a pin-prick, like when you have blood drawn. The thallium is then injected through the IV. You will not feel anything from this injection. We will wait 15 minutes while the thallium circulates in your body. Then, for about thirty minutes while your are lying down, we will take pictures of your heart with a special camera.
2. We will take your blood pressure many times during this part of the test. You will not feel anything when the MIBI is injected.
3. The third part of the test is taking more pictures, this time with the MIBI circulating in the blood. You will lie down as before and the camera will take pictures for about 30 minutes.
4. The test takes a total of 2 1/2 - 3 hours.
Safety Issues
Nuclear medicine procedures are very safe. Your body is able to very quickly eliminate the radioactive materials that are used. The radiation dose from this test is about 2.7 rem. This is about the same dose that you would get from some routine x-rays.
|
