Myocardial Perfusion Scan, Resting

What to Expect

What to Do the Night Before

You should not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before the test. If you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant, tell your physician. If you take medications in the morning, ask your physician about taking them before the test.

Diagnostic Tests Before the Procedure

Usually an EKG will have been done prior to the test. Other diagnostic tests that may have been done prior to the myocardial perfusion scan include, but are not limited to, the following:

• cardiac isoenzymes (a blood test that measures tissue damage to the heart muscle)
  
  
• stress electrocardiogram (an EKG procedure done during exercise to assess the effect of exercise on the heart)
  
  
• chest x-ray
  
  
• other blood work, such as a blood count, coagulation studies (measures the presence and effectiveness of clotting factors in your blood), and electrolytes (measures certain minerals in the blood such as potassium)

Scheduling/Registration Information

(Client to insert hospital-specific information)

Where the Procedure is Done

(Client to insert hospital-specific information)

Who Performs the Procedure

(Client to insert hospital-specific information)

Directions to the Hospital

(Client to insert the following information, if appropriate: directions to the hospital, area map, directions to the admission area, valet parking information, virtual tour link, etc.)

It is important to arrive at your scheduled time. Your procedure may not begin immediately due to varying lengths of procedures scheduled before your procedure. You will be updated as frequently as possible.

Preparing for the Procedure in the Hospital

• Description of IV, site preparations, and medications that may be administered - An injection of a radiopharmaceutical will be given through a vein in your hand or arm. The radiopharmaceutical is a radioactive substance used as a "tracer," which means it travels through your blood stream and is taken up (absorbed) by the healthy heart muscle tissue. On the scan, the areas where the radiopharmaceutical has been absorbed will show up differently than the areas that do not absorb it (due to decreased blood flow to the area or possible damage to the tissue from decreased or blocked blood flow).
  
  
• Consent forms - Your physician will explain the myocardial perfusion scan, its purpose, any risks, and the expected outcome before the procedure. You should read through the consent carefully before signing it. If you have any questions or need more information, ask your physician.
  

page three