Nuclear Cardiology
Questions and Answers
• What is nuclear cardiology?
• Is a nuclear cardiology exam like
having an X-Ray?
• Are there side effects from the tracer?
• How are the images of my heart captured?
What is being studied?
• How long will my exam take?
• Will the exam hurt?
• Will I be alone?
• Do I have to do anything special to prepare
for my nuclear cardiology imaging study?
What is nuclear cardiology?
Nuclear cardiology is a method of accessing physiological characteristics of your heart to evaluate heart function and screen for some cardiac disorders. This state-of-the-art diagnostic technique is non-invasive, meaning there are no incisions or equipment entering your body.
Nuclear cardiology can assist in the evaluation of acute pain and help determine if a patient is experiencing a heart attack. Our Philips CardioMD system, sometimes referred to as a gamma camera, is capable of identifying segments of the heart and blood vessels with decreased or insufficient blood flow. This gives us a better idea of how your heart is functioning, shows the viability of the heart muscle, and allows us to recommend the best course of treatment.
Is a nuclear cardiology exam like having an X-Ray?
Not quite. X-Ray passes radiation though your body and evaluates the differences in tissue density, thereby producing images. In nuclear cardiology, a tracer is injected into your arm, and the imaging system, or gamma camera, traces the distribution and movement of the tracer through your heart and blood vessels.
Are there side effects from the tracer?
The tracer, called a radiopharmaceutical, is tagged with a small radioactive tracer. However, there are no reported side effects.
How are the images of my heart captured? What is being studied?
Myocardial perfusion imaging studies are commonly done to valuate the blood flow to the muscle of the heart (myocardium).
To acquire the images, the patient is given an intravenous injection of a small amount of the radiopharmaceutical, which flows into the myocardium. The nuclear cardiologist determines which radiopharmaceutical to use depending upon the study of interest and symptoms.
The CardioMD system is then used to detect and map the tracer throughout the heart and surrounding blood vessels to produce images, which can then be used to assess the health of the heart. Two sets of images are done, one at rest and the other during stress at a maximum heart rate. During the stress test, electrodes are placed on your chest to monitor your heart rhythm. The physician will determine the appropriate stress method; you will either begin exercising on a treadmill, or your doctor or healthcare provider may inject a drug that increases the flow of blood to your heart.
A second test is a functional study of the left ventricle. The left ventricular images provide detailed information about the blood flow in the heart and the pumping action of the heart during a resting state.
How long will my exam take?
The myocardium perfusion exam may take three to four hours. The ventricular function exam typically takes 90 minutes to two hours.
Will the exam hurt?
No. This is a non-invasive test and you should feel no pain.
Will I be alone?
No. You will be able to see and speak with your technologist.
Do I have to do anything special to prepare for my nuclear cardiology imaging study?
There are dietary restrictions, such as refraining from beverages (caffeine and non-caffeine) for 12 hours prior to the test. When the exam is scheduled, instructions will be provided if you are taking medications.
We usually recommend fasting for two to four hours prior to the imaging study. For diabetic patients, the scheduler will schedule the exam four hours after breakfast.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or have any allergies and ask your doctor for any other specific instructions prior to your exam.
- June 2007
The content on this site is intended to be used for educational purposes only ...
