Myocardial Perfusion Study
Myocardial perfusion imaging is a sensitive tool in determining
the extent and severity of ischaemic heart disease. Radar Medical Imaging
will be offering this procedure from December 2004.
The test requires two appointments, an exercise test in which a radioactive
tracer is injected to assess the heart at stress. Patients will be asked
to cease all caffeine for 24 hours prior to the test and may be asked
to cease some medication. The test will either take the form of walking
on a treadmill at a pace to suit the exercise capabilities of the patient,
or the use of medication to simulate exercise. The exercise test is
performed and supervised by medical and nursing staff at all times.
We suggest that the patient should wear clothes and footwear suitable
for exercise.
The exercise test is followed immediately by a scan of the heart on
our gamma camera, taking approx 30 minutes. The first attendance at
RMI is 60-90 minutes.
Later in the day, a second scan is performed to assess the heart in
its "resting" state and will take an extra 60 minutes.
This part of the test may require a second injection.