CA
A 40-year-old member asked:
What is the purpose of a myocardial perfusion scan?
3 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Mark Milunskianswered
Cardiology 39 years experience
Nuclear stress test: This is a specialized form of stress test used to confirm the presence of coronary artery disease in patients suspected of having this problem. It uses a low-level nuclear tracer to assess blood flow to the heart muscle before and after exercise-induced stress. In patients who cannot exercise, other pharmacologic means can be used such as adenosine, lexiscan, persantine, or dobutamine.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Thomas Hestonanswered
Family Medicine 31 years experience
Assess risk: 1. Determine blood flow to the heart at rest and at stress. The difference between these two can help determine risk of a major cardiac event such as a heart attack. 2. Determine cardiac size. 3. Determine cardiac function (left ventricular ejection fraction). 4. Determine exercise capacity. 5. Determine electrical (ECG) response to stress. These factors are used to help guide medical therapy.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. Gerald Mandellanswered
Nuclear Medicine 54 years experience
Cardiac blood supply: A cardiac perfusion scan measures the amount of blood supplied to your heart muscle. Radiotracers such as thallium or technetium sestamibi are injected intravenously and travel through blood to heart muscle. Two sets of images are made during rest and exercise and compared. Indications for this study include chest pain, previous heart attack, heart surgery and coronary artery disease.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 46-year-old member asked:
What is the function of a myocardial perfusion scan?
3 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Mark Sternanswered
Cardiology 48 years experience
Blood flow to heart: It shows blood flow to the heart. It can show old scar of a heart attack or heart muscle that is not getting enough blood , which could mean a future heart attack.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
CA
A 35-year-old member asked:
Can I eat food before having myocardial perfusion scan?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
Dr. Mark Sternanswered
Cardiology 48 years experience
No: No because the blood flow to stomach increased and it makes the image less accurate.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Thomas Heston commented
Family Medicine 31 years experience
diabetics may need to have a small meal ahead of time; check with your testing center
Dec 5, 2012
CA
A 33-year-old member asked:
Can you get results of your myocardial perfusion scan the same day?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
Dr. Mark Sternanswered
Cardiology 48 years experience
Sometimes: Yes in some centers they are read the same day, but most take longer.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
CA
A 33-year-old member asked:
Can someone drive home after a myocardial perfusion scan?
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
Dr. Thomas Hestonanswered
Family Medicine 31 years experience
Yes: You can drive home unless you are administered a medication for relaxation during the test as is sometimes necessary for people with severe claustrophobia. However, this is very, very rare because nuclear cameras are so open. Nearly 100% of the people who get a myocardial perfusion scan can drive home safely after the test.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
CA
A 28-year-old male asked:
What is the definition or description of: myocardial perfusion scan with exercise?
5 doctor answers • 9 doctors weighed in
Dr. Joshua Buckleranswered
Cardiology 21 years experience
Stress test: This is a type of stress test which uses exercise to increase the heart rate and stress the heart and then a tracer molecule is injected into an IV which shows normal and abnormal blood flow in the heart. This is compared to images at rest to determine whether there has been a heart attack or if there are concerning blockages of the coronary arteries.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Sep 23, 2016
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