|
The Imaging Center performs Nuclear
Medicine stress testing to determine
cardiac profusion, as well as
echocardiography studies to examine
cardiac function.
Pre-Exam
Preparation and What to Expect from Your
Exam
|
Thallium/Cardiolite exercise
stress test (Nuclear Medicine)
|
Allow 2.5-3
hours for exam |
Nothing to eat or drink
(except water) after midnight on
the night before your exam.
*Diabetics may have toast and
juice for breakfast. Wear
comfortable shoes and clothing.
Bring a list of current
medications. |
|
Adenosine/Persantine stress test
|
Allow 2.5-3
hours for exam |
Nothing to eat or drink
(except water) after midnight on
the night before your exam. Wear
comfortable shoes and clothing.
Bring list of medications. No
caffeine for 24 hours before
exam (includes decaf coffee and
tea, chocolate, soda with
caffeine, and some aspirin
products. No persantine or
dipyridamol for 24 hours before
exam. No theophylline
medications for 24 hours before
exam. Patients with asthma or
sever emphysema should inform
the cardiologist and
technologist before having this
test. |
| 2D
Echocardiography |
Allow 1 hour for
exam |
No caffeine for 24 hours
before the exam. Eat a light
meal for breakfast. |
What happens after
the exam?
Your exam will be
interpreted by a board-certified
radiologist with many years of training
and professional experience. A report
will be sent to your doctor within 24
hours and he or she will contact you
with the results. Your physician will
review your clinical history in
conjunction with exam results to provide
you with the most accurate diagnosis and
optimal treatment plan.
Safety of Nuclear
Medicine Exams
Nuclear Medicine is a
special form of imaging that has been
practice since the 1940's. It uses a
much smaller dose of radiation than
traditional x-rays, and is especially
helpful in diagnosing Coronary Artery
Disease. All cardiac stress tests are
performed under the supervision of a
board-certified cardiologist. Be sure to
tell your technologist if you are
nursing or may be pregnant prior to
having the exam.
|
Cardiac
Stress Testing