1-Day Nuclear Persantine Stress Test
The technologist will insert an intravenous (IV) line into a vein in your arm or hand in order to inject a small amount of Cardiolite, which is a radioactive tracer that is carried by the bloodstream to your heart. Approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour after the injection, the technologist will take pictures of your heart for about 10-15 minutes with a gamma camera that detects the radioactive injection. You will either be sitting upright or reclined on the imaging chair. It is very important to breathe normally and remain still while you are being imaged. These images represent the blood supply to the heart at rest.
Once the first set of images are complete, you will be prepared for the Persantine stress test. ECG electrodes will be placed on your chest to monitor your heart rhythm throughout the test. A drug called Persantine will slowly be injected though the intravenous line in order to dilate the coronary arteries (similar to the effect of physical exercise). Your heart rate, blood pressure, and ECG will be continuously monitored for any changes. A second dose of Cardiolite will also be injected through the IV. If blood flow to the heart is limited due to CAD, then the amount of Cardiolite delivered to the heart is reduced.
During the Persantine stress test, you may experience some side effects, such as headache, dizziness, chest discomfort, abdominal discomfort, nausea, or a warm flushing sensation. These effects are temporary and only last for a few minutes. An antidote called Aminophylline is readily available to reverse the side effects of Persantine shortly after the Cardiolite injection. Following the Persantine stress test, the IV will be removed. You will be asked to eat prior to the second set of images, as eating helps to improve the image quality. The technologist will advise you when to return for imaging (approximately 1 hour after the Persantine stress test). 1 or 2 stress images will be acquired (sitting upright and/or reclined), and this will take about 5-10 minutes. The second set of images represent the blood supply to the heart at stress. Once the stress images are acquired, the test is complete.