THE MEDICAL IMAGING EXPERIENCE
INFORMATION FOR THE PATIENT
NUCLEAR MEDICINE MYOCARDIAL PERFUSION SCAN

WHAT IS IT?
Nuclear Medicine scans are performed using very small amounts of radioactive material. The radioactive material is usually bound to other non-radioactive elements. These combined elements are called "radionuclide". The radionuclide emit energy called "photons". Radionuclide can be directed to many organs and systems in the body. Once a radionuclide is distributed in an organ or system, the photon energy is collected by a "Gamma Camera". The Gamma Camera detects the pattern of distribution of the radionuclide in the body and sends this information to a computer. The computer processes the information and displays the information in the form of a picture.

Nuclear Medicine exams differ from other x-ray procedures because the energy (x-rays and photons) come from different sources. X-ray energy is created by the x-ray tube and pass through the body. Another major difference is that Nuclear Medicine exams best demonstrate body physiology (system function), whereas x-rays show anatomical detail.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO ME?
The Nuclear Medicine Technologist will inject a special radionuclide into your vein, usually in your arm. After the injection, you will need to wait 30 minutes for your first scan. To start the scan, the technologist will position you on a flat table and will place you under the Gamma Camera. The Gamma Camera will be very close to you to obtain the best picture. After the scan is complete you will prepare for and complete the stress test.

HOW LONG WILL THIS TEST TAKE?
The injection of the radionuclide takes only a few minutes. After the injection, you will need to wait 30 minutes before the first scan can be performed, which will take 40 minutes to complete. You will then complete the stress test portion (usually treadmill) of your exam which usually takes approximately 5-10 minutes to complete. You will then need to wait 45 minutes until the second scan can be performed which will take 30 minutes to complete. The total time required to complete test is three (3) hours. Some tests may require you to return a second day for additional testing, you will given specific instructions at the time of scheduling.

WHAT WILL I FEEL -- WILL IT HURT?
You may feel a slight pinprick in the vein of your arm when the radionuclide is injected. You will not feel any effects from the radionuclide injection. When your scan is begun, you will need to lay flat on a table. You will need to lay very still while the scan is being performed so that the best picture can be made. You will not feel any effects from the Gamma Camera. It does not create radiation, it only detects the radiation coming from your body. The Gamma Camera is a large machine that collects the emitted photons from the radionuclide but produces very little sound. The Gamma Camera must be very close to you and will be moved over your body to obtain the pictures. The radiation will totally disappear from your body in about 48 hours. The radiation exposure you receive for the scan is no more than from a routine x-ray procedure.

WHAT WILL THE TEST SHOW?
A Perfusion scan is a way of checking blood flow through the muscle (or walls) of your heart. To do this, a tracer (a small amount of radioactive matter) is given to you through a vein in your arm. A camera scans the tracer in the blood as it flows through your heart muscle. This test may be done before, during, and after exercise. 

HOW DO I GET READY?
You will need to be NPO (nothing to eat or drink) from midnight on the night prior to the day of your test. It is especially important that you do not have any caffeine. This means no coffee, no decaffeinated coffee, no tea, no sodas of any kind or no chocolate after dinner the night before your test. You will be notified prior to your stress test as to which medications can be taken. No over-the-counter medications are to be taken 24 hours prior to the test. Please bring a list with you of your current medications. You will also be asked to refrain from nicotine (no smoking and no chewing tobacco) the day of the test. Please also wear a pair of comfortable waking shoes and jogging clothes for the stress test portion of your exam.

Reviewed: November 2005