Hospital Tests and Procedures

Nuclear Imaging

Nuclear imaging is a fairly new technique which uses small amounts of radiation to provide information which determines blood flow patterns in the body, in the case of cardiology, blood flow patterns associated with the heart, during both rest and stress conditions. This enables doctors to obtain quick and accurate diagnosis of abnormalities of the heart and is an excellent way to evaluate the possibility of coronary artery blockages and the ejection fraction (squeeze ability/pumping of the heart). 

A nuclear imaging test is more sensitive and reliable than a regular stress test and also provides additional information on the function and size of the heart. It is painless and exposes patients to only a minimal amount of radiation, which is quickly eliminated from the body through natural functions.

Your cardiac specialist may order the test by a variety of names, generally to obtain the specific results he/she is looking for. However, they are all basically a scan, which depicts the radioactive material inside you and takes a picture of it for diagnosis by the cardiologist.

Steve Werden is the Director of Nuclear. He is highly trained in Nuclear Studies and is a Certified Technologist in his field. Steve has been a Nuclear Technician for over 15 years. When you are scheduled for a Nuclear Test, Steve will call you the day before to confirm your appointment and go over the procedure and at which office your appointment is scheduled. He will tell you what you should wear. Steve will also discuss with you what medications you are currently taking.

Nuclear Imaging Stress Test

This test uses the IV injection of a small amount of a radioactive substance called "Cardiolite" (in certain situations "Thallium" is used instead). A special camera ("gamma camera") is used to take pictures of the heart at "rest" and after "stress" (usually in two different days). This medication reaches the heart muscle through the coronary arteries. Normally there is uniform uptake of this radioactive substance. However, if there is a blockage in one or more of the coronaries, there will be a "spot" or "defect". The size, number and degree of "darkness" of these spots will correlate with the number, location, and severity of the coronary artery disease. Therefore, these nuclear techniques provide more accurate and detailed information than is provided by a regular treadmill test. This test is frequently used to evaluate patients with chest pain or after an angioplasty to detect re-blockage of the dilated artery and after coronary bypass surgery to assess the integrity and function of the bypass grafts.

If the patient cannot exercise, a "chemical stress test" will be used. This involves the use of an IV medication (instead of exercise) that increases the blood flow to the heart (coronary vasodilators, such as adenosine or persantine) Other IV medications such as dobutamine simulate the effects of exercise (by increasing the heart rate and making each heart beat more forceful) can also be used. These types of stress tests are used in patients who cannot exercise, such as those with severe lung disease, arthritis, prior leg amputation or stroke, etc.

When receiving a Nuclear Imaging Test:

1.Please do not eat or drink twelve (12) hours prior to the test.
2.Take all medications, unless otherwise specified.
3.Wear comfortable exercise clothing and closed toe rubber soled shoes, such as tennis shoes.
4.Please do not wear dresses, high heels or jumpsuits.
5.Please call the office at 727-824-7100 if you are taking insulin or diabetes medicines, or if you experience any reaction by skipping a dose of your medications.