Myocardial Perfusion Scan

Please make staff aware if

• you are or think you could be pregnant.
• you are breastfeeding, claustrophobic and/or if you are the primary/sole carer for small children when you book your appointment.
• you have had any reactions to injections used for imaging.
• you are diabetic as you will receive special instructions.
• you have severe asthma or respiratory illness that has required hospitalisation in the past.

Please bring any previous nuclear medicine scans or any other scans relating to the current problem.

Light breakfast 2 hours prior to the test then water only.

You may be asked to cease certain medications prior to the test.

Caffeine must be ceased 24 hours prior to your appointment (this includes ALL chocolate, tea, coffee, cola soft drink, chocolate and energy drinks. Decaffeinated coffee and herbal tea need to be avoided as they may contain some caffeine).

Wear suitable shoes and comfortable clothing for exercising.

Allow at least 3 hours for completion of this examination.

Part 1: REST Scan: You will be given a small injection of a radioactive tracer that is taken up by the heart muscle. This injection shouldn’t make you feel any different. Following a short wait (10-30 minutes), images will be acquired of your heart. This part of the test takes 30-60 minutes.

Part 2: STRESS test: This involves exercise on a treadmill or bike. An injection of medication is used for this part of the test if you are unable to exercise. Your blood pressure and ECG are monitored during this phase of the test. Another injection of radioactive tracer is administered at the time of peak stress.

Part 3: STRESS Scan: A second set of images of your heart are taken after a wait of 20-60 minutes. This part of the test can take 45-120 minutes to complete.

Myocardial perfusion scans do not generally create any after effects.

It is recommended that you minimise close contact with others (especially babies and small children) for up to 4 hours.

All images for your study will be available on the myPRP patient portal soon after your examination is complete. A report that includes a link to your study will be sent directly to your referring doctor. PRP Imaging will store digital copies of all studies on our secure database for comparison with any future examinations.

Normal and abnormal studies are both important for your management and PRP Imaging encourages you to return to your doctor for review of the results.