Cardiolite Stress Test

What is Nuclear Imaging?

Nuclear imaging is a fairly new technique which uses a little amount of radiation to provide information which determines blood flow patterns in the body, in the case of cardiology, blood flow patterns associated with the heart, during both rest and stress conditions. This enables doctors to obtain quick and accurate diagnosis of abnormalities of the heart and is an excellent way to evaluate the possibility of coronary artery blockages and the ejection fraction (squeeze ability/pumping of the heart).

A nuclear imaging test is more sensitive and reliable than a regular stress test and also provides additional information on the function and size of the heart. It is painless and exposes patients to only a minimal amount of radiation, which is quickly eliminated from the body through natural functions.

Your cardiac specialist may order the test by a variety of names, generally to obtain the specific results he/she is looking for. However, they are all basically a scan, which depicts the radioactive material inside you and takes a picture of it for diagnosis by the cardiologist.

How does a Nuclear Imaging Stress Test work?

 This test is very similar to an exercise stress test except you will be injected a minor quantity of a radioactive substance, called Cardiolite, just before the end of the exercise part of the test.  You will have electrodes placed on your chest and back, attached to wires called leads, which are attached to an electrocardiogram machine.  Physicians will have you walk on a treadmill and soon afterwards you will be given the injection of the small amount of radioactive substance.  You will then be asked to lie on an examination table and an exclusive camera, called a gamma camera, will be used to collect images of your heart while at rest and after stress.  The camera picks up traces of the radioactive substance which is normally consistent throughout the heart muscle and coronary arteries.  The camera transmits the images to a television monitor.  Coronary arteries that have developed plaque buildup will show on the images as dark spots or defects.   According to the size, number, and degree of darkness of these spots will determine the seriousness of the patient's coronary artery disease.  These nuclear techniques provide more precise information than a standard treadmill test and will give the physician an idea of how your heart works during both exercise and rest.  This examination is commonly used to assess patients with chest pain or after angioplasty to identify areas of a dilated artery that has been re-blocked.  After coronary bypass surgery this test is also used to evaluate the reliability and function of the bypass grafts.

A chemical stress test is used for patients who cannot exercise.  Medications such as adenosine or Persantine are administered to the patient through an IV instead of using exercise.  Other IV medications such as dobutamine can be used to simulate the effects of exercise by increasing the heart rate and making each heart beat more forceful.  Patients who normally use these medications for the test are those who suffer from arthritis, lung disease, prior leg amputation, stroke, etc.

When receiving a Nuclear Imaging Test:

1.Please do not eat or drink four (4) hours prior to the test.
2.Take all medications, unless otherwise specified.
3.Wear comfortable exercise clothing and closed toe rubber soled shoes, such as tennis shoes.
4.Please do not wear dresses, high heels or jumpsuits.
5.Please call the office at 727-724-8611 if you are taking insulin or diabetes medicines, or if you experience any reaction by skipping a dose of your medications.



Patient Instructions before Testing