The heart receives its nutrients through the bloodstream, through vessels called coronary arteries. If these arteries become narrowed or partially obstructed by the accumulation of fatty substances, the heart may not receive the necessary blood to operate normally. It's this narrowing of the coronary arteries that underlies the CORONARY DISEASE. When coronary disease progresses, the heart muscle may not receive enough blood when under stress (eg, running). This often causes chest pain called angina pectoris, but there may also be disease without pain. In any case, this test is very useful in detecting coronary disease.
1— Prior Preparation
Patients can't eat three hours before the medical scan and can't take any caffeine based food or drink, as well as chocolate, coffee, tea or Coke, 12 hours before it. Patients don't have to stop their medication unless under the guidance of their doctor.
2— Procedure
This exam has two phases: one at rest and one at stress.
The rest study is initiated with the placement of an access way into an arm vein. It will be used for the administration of several drugs over the examination and will only be withdrawn after the exam completion. The radiopharmaceutical will then be administrated through the venous access, which doesn't cause any reaction. Later, the first images will be acquired in an equipment called Gamma Camera. The stress test is performed with cardiologist support and continuous monitoring of the electrocardiogram and blood pressure. Instead of the conventional exercise stress test (treadmill), a pharmacological stress test is performed. It consists on the administration of a drug that will exercise the heart according to the patient's weight. Any discomfort is transient. At the moment of maximum effort, patient will again be administered a tracer that will allow the heart’s visualization at that moment. Subsequently, a small snack will be offered. It is important for the quality of the results to insist on eating and drinking at this stage! After a new time interval, the patient will return to Gamma Camera for the last pictures, ending the test.
3— Results
Our Nuclear Medicine Physician will subsequently analyse and compare the images of the two examinations (rest and stress).
The examinations' report with images and the opinion of the cardiologist will be written to your doctor.
IMPORTANT
Documents to bring to the exam:
— Doctor's Request;
— Social Security Card or other entity;
— Heart Exams;
— Previous Scintigraphy (if available);
— List of current medication;
— Weight and height;
— Warn any accompanying person that the total duration of the exam is about 3,5 - 4 hours;
— The staff of ATOMEDICAL is at your complete disposal for any further information you may require.
