CARDIO-VASCULAR SYSTEM

Myocardial Perfusion Study

Procedure description:

Myocardial perfusion imaging is a diagnostic procedure used to evaluate blood flow distribution within the heart muscle. This examination helps identify areas of reduced blood flow associated with ischemia or scarring. The procedure involves the administration of a radiopharmaceutical via an intravenous injection. This radiopharmaceutical is absorbed by the myocardium and can be visualized through various imaging techniques. Planar or tomographic single-photon or positron imaging methods are employed, utilizing radiopharmaceuticals like 201Tl, 99mTc-labeled compounds such as sestamibi or tetrofosmin for single-photon imaging, as well as 13N-ammonia and 82Rb for PET imaging, all approved by the FDA. Patients may undergo imaging at rest, during cardiovascular stress, or both, and even during acute events such as chest pain. Stress-induced images assist in identifying areas of diminished blood flow that indicate ischemia while resting images often identify scar tissue or potentially viable, underperfused myocardium.

Key patient preparation:

Patients should be fasting before rest myocardial perfusion imaging for at least 4 h. Cardiac medications should be withheld if the examination is performed to detect coronary disease. Cardiac medication should be taken as usual when the examination is performed to determine the effectiveness of medical therapy. Radiopaque objects in the area of the thorax should be removed before imaging; implanted radiopaque objects (metal, silicone, etc.) should be noted as potential attenuators of cardiac activity. In patients with severe coronary disease, it may be advisable to administer nitroglycerin sublingually about 3 min before rest injection of the radiopharmaceutical.

Equilibrium MUGA Study

Procedure description:

(Work in progress)

Key patient preparation:

(Work in progress)