Presbyterian Healthcare 
Nuclear Medicine Stress Testing
| Stress tests are tests performed by a doctor and/or trained technician to determine the amount of stress that your heart can manage before developing either an abnormal rhythm or evidence of ischemia (not enough blood flow to the heart muscle). |
Nuclear Medicine Stress Testing with Exercise
This is a test that involves the use of a mild radioactive substance known as Cardiolite. It will tell the doctor how well your heart responds to exercise.
Consent
- In order to evaluate your heart and provide the needed information to your physician, we ask that you sign a consent form to take this "Stress Test with Cardiolite and the accompanying scanning procedures."
- After reading this information sheet, the technologist and or physician are available to answer any questions you may have before you sign the consent form.
Procedure
- A small tube or IV is inserted into a vein in your hand or arm and fluid will be injected.
- Your chest will be shaved and cleaned. Small sticky patches called electrodes will be placed on your chest.
- A blood pressure cuff will be placed on your arm.
- When your doctor arrives, you will begin walking at a slow pace on a treadmill. The speed and grade will gradually increase. Continure walking until you are too tired or experience chest pain, dizziness and or feel faint.
- Cardiolite is injected into your IV.
- You will lie on a table under a nuclear medicine scanner as it takes pictures of your heart. This will take about 30 minutes.
- After the first set of pictures, you may leave the department. However, you will need to return three hours later for a second set of pictures. Sometimes a third set of pictures is needed to complete the test. Your nurse will explain what you may eat between the first and second set of pictures.
Nuclear Medicine Stress Testing with Medication
This is a test that involves the use of two mild radioactive substances known as Cardiolite and Technetium 99m MIBI. A drug called Dipyridamole is also used to mimic the stress exercise places on your heart. This drug is used in place of having you walk on a treadmill.
Consent
- In order to evaluate your heart and provide the needed information to your physician, we ask that you sign a consent form to take this "Stress Test with IV Dipyridamole and Technetium 99m MIBI and the accompanying scanning procedures."
- After reading this information sheet, the technologist and or physician are available to answer any questions you may have before you sign the consent form.
Procedure
- A small tube or IV is inserted into a vein in your hand or arm. Cardiolite will be injected through this IV.
- About 30 minutes after this injection, you will lie on a table under a nuclear medicine scanner as it take pictures of your heart.
- After this first set of pictures, your chest is shaved and cleaned. Small sticky patched called electrodes are placed on your chest.
- A blood pressure cuff will be placed on your arm.
- The doctor will inject medications (Dipyridamole, then Technetium 99m MIBI) through your IV tube.
- About one hour after this, a second set of pictures will be taken.
Special Notes
A physician will be present throughout the test. Your heart and blood pressure will be monitored. This is performed during the portion of the test where your heart is under "stress." A degree of risk is present any time stress is put on your heart. Your heart rate and blood pressure may be affected by exercise. Symptoms such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, dizziness, faintness and irregularities of heart rhythm may occur. Heart attack is a remote possibility.
This is a medically accepted diagnostic procedure and every effort is made to minimize adverse effects. No guarantees about success or results of this procedure can be made. Emergency equipment and trained personnel are available to deal with any unusual situations which may occur.
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask the nurse, technologist or physician performing your test.
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