Myocardial Perfusion Scan
What is a Myocardial Perfusion Scan?
This is a test in which a small amount of radioactivity is used to obtain pictures of your heart with a gamma camera. These pictures will show how well your heart muscle is supplied with blood, which it needs for proper function, and it will help your doctor make a diagnosis.
What is involved?
The first visit to the department is for a stress scan. This scan will show how well the heart is supplied with blood when it works hard. For this procedure we will have to make your heart beat fast. This is normally done by asking you to walk briskly or jog on a treadmill. If you are unable to go on a treadmill we will use a pharmaceutical to make your heart beat faster.
A small amount of a pharmaceutical and a radioactive tracer (Technetium-99m) is injected into a vein, usually in your arm, when your heart is beating at a predetermined rate. The injection is no more painful than a blood test. This whole procedure takes place in the Cardio-Respiratory Department and is supervised by a specially trained senior nurse.
After the injection we will monitor your heart while it returns to normal heart rate. You will then be allowed to leave the department, but you must return to the Nuclear Medicine Department for the scan, one to two hours after the injection.
For
the scan you will then lie on a bed in our imaging room and a gamma camera
obtains the images. You do not normally have to undress but we will ask
you to remove any metal objects such as jewellery.
For the second phase of this procedure you will go straight to the Nuclear Medicine
Department where you will again be given a small amount of a radiopharmaceutical
(Technetium-99m). The injection is no more painful than a blood test.
After a wait of about one to two hours you should return to the department for the scan. We will connect you to an ECG monitor (it monitors your heart) and the gamma camera will take images wich will show how your heart is supplied with blood when it is beating normally.
By
comparing the images obtained on the two different occasions we will be able
to see if there are any problems with the blood vessels that supply your heart
muscle with blood.
Some patients may not require the second phase of this study.
Is the radiation dangerous?
The amount of radiation you receive is small; it is comparable to that of an X-ray examination. The substances we inject are non-toxic and will not make you feel sick or drowsy. However, for radiation safety reasons pregnant women and children should not be brought to the Nuclear Medicine Department.
What about pregnancy?
Please tell us as soon as possible before the injection if you are pregnant or think that you may be pregnant. All female patients between the ages of 10 - 55 years will be asked to complete a form on arrival.
What about breastfeeding?
Radioactive substances can come out in breast milk. Please phone the Nuclear Medicine Department before your test if you are breastfeeding, so that we can advise you if you need to stop feeding for a length of time.
How long will it take?
The first phase of the study, the stress phase, will take about three hours to complete. You will be able to leave the department between the injection and the imaging. The second phase will take about two hours. Again you will be able to leave the department between the injection and the imaging.
Can I bring a friend or relative with me?
A friend or relative can attend with you but they will not be able to accompany you for the injection or scan.
Do I need to do anything after the scan?
You can eat as normal, but you should drink more than usual for the rest of the day to help wash the tracer out of your body.
Can I still look after children and pets?
Please try to avoid prolonged close contact with small children and babies for the rest of the day; this is to avoid exposing children to unnecessary radiation. The radioactive material you will be given will not affect any pets you may have.
Can I return to work after my scan?
There is usually no problem, but if your work involves radiation or close contact with children or pregnant women please ask Nuclear Medicine staff for advice.
What about my result?
We are unable to tell you the result of the test. The scans are reported by a team including a doctor, a scientist and a radiographer. The result is sent to the doctor, normally a cardiologist, who requested the test. However, the staff performing the test are fully qualified and will be happy to answer any other questions you may have.
If you have any further questions after reading this information
please contact:
The Nuclear Medicine Department (01202) 442499
References
This information has been produced by:
Head of Department: Mr L Jansson
Senior Medical Physicist: Dr K Dixon
Date Produced: February 2007
Review Date: February 2008
Responsible Clinician: Dr NK Robson, Consultant Radiologist
