Myocardial Perfusion Scan, Stress

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.

If you are scheduled for a pharmacologic myocardial perfusion scan, you will need to avoid taking any medications containing theophylline or caffeine (see table below for more specific information). Coffee, of course, even decaffeinated, is not allowed, as it contains some caffeine. Medications for asthma may contain theophylline. If you have asthma, inform your physician. Theophylline medications should be stopped 48 hours prior to the test. Medications that contain caffeine and all food and drink containing caffeine should be held for 12 to 24 hours. Consult your physician for specific instructions.

For an exercise scan, plan to wear loose, comfortable clothing for the exercise portion of the test, as well as a pair of comfortable walking shoes.

Diagnostic Tests Before the Procedure

Usually an EKG will have been done prior to the test. Other diagnostic tests that may have been performed 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

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Where the Procedure is Done

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Who Performs the Procedure

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Directions to the Hospital

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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 IV will be started in your arm or hand to give the radiopharmaceutical, as well as the pharmacologic stress medication, if used. A radiopharmaceutical is a radioactive substance used as a "tracer," which means it travels through the 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). EKG electrodes will be attached to your chest and arms, so you will most likely need to remove your clothes from the waist up and wear a hospital gown.
  
  
• Consent forms - Your physician will explain the type of 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.
  

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