Nuclear Cardiology

We are pleased to announce that our nuclear cardiology services are fully accredited by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Nuclear Medicine Laboratories (ICANL.)

Nuclear cardiology provides important anatomical and physiological information about the heart which helps in patient diagnosis, prognosis and care management. Our experienced staff who are certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support perform diagnostic studies using state-of-the-art equipment in our office.  Advanced computer systems generate immediate, crystal-clear graphic and text reports of test results. Our physicians receive reports the same day the test is performed, resulting in a significant savings in time for the physician and much less anxiety for the patient.

Cardiac nuclear imaging tests include:

  • Thallium-Cardiolite Stress Perfusion Imaging
  • Adenosine-Thallium-Cardiolite Stress Perfusion Imaging
  • Persantine-Thallium-Cardiolite Stress Perfusion Imaging
  • Dobutamine-Thallium-Cardiolite Stress Perfusion Imaging
  • Resting Multi-Gated Acquisition (MUGA) Studies
  • Stress MUGA Studies
  • Ventricular Wall Motion Studies
  • Ejection Fraction Evaluation
  • Gated SPECT

Pre-Procedural Instructions

RADIONUCLIDE (THALLIUM) STRESS TEST

THIS TEST TAKES APPROXIMATELY 2 TO 3 HOURS.

MEALS: NO FOOD OR LIQUIDS, ESPECIALLY CAFFEINE, 4 HOURS PRIOR TO THE TEST.

Minimal amounts of water may be taken with your medication. If your test is at 1:00pm or later, you may have a light breakfast.

MEDICATIONS: Please take your medications as usual, unless otherwise instructed by your physician. Diabetic patients: Please consult your physician.

WHAT TO WEAR: Comfortable, loose fitting clothing. A short sleeve shirt that buttons up the front is preferable. Please wear comfortable walking shoes, as you will be walking on a treadmill.

WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU: Your insurance cards and a list of your medications and/or your medications.

WHAT IS IT: The radionuclide stress test is a diagnostic nuclear medicine exam used to determine if the heart muscle is getting the blood supply it needs. The exam requires the injection of a radioisotope through an intravenous (IV) line. The radioisotope contains a small amount of radioactive material that is cleared from your body by a natural process. The amount of radiation you will be exposed to is comparable to that from an X-ray. Millions of nuclear medicine exams are performed each year.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO ME: Once you arrive, the nurse or medical assistant will take a brief history on you. You will then be asked to sign a consent form, which allows the physician to perform the test. An intravenous (IV) line will be placed in your arm or hand A radioisotope will be administered by injection through the IV line and a special camera will take pictures of your heart. These are called your resting pictures.

The next portion of the stress test is accomplished by walking on a moving belt called a treadmill. Several small pads called electrodes will be placed on your chest and an electrocardiograph (EKG) machine will monitor your heart rhythm. Your doctor will be present during this portion of the exam. The treadmill will move very slowly at first, and gradually increase in speed and incline. As you exercise, your heart rate and blood pressure will rise. This is normal. If you experience any unusual symptoms while walking on the treadmill, such as light-headedness or chest pain, tell the doctor or nurse supervising your test. After the stress portion of your exam, a second set of pictures of your heart will be taken. These are called your stress pictures. The procedure is then complete.

ROUTINE EXERCISE TOLERANCE TEST

THIS TEST TAKES APPROXIMATELY 1 HOUR.

MEALS: No food or liquids, especially caffeine, 4 hours prior to the test. Minimal amounts of water may be taken with your medication. If your test is at 1:00 p.m. or later you may have a light breakfast only.

MEDICATIONS: Please take your medications as usual, unless otherwise instructed by your physician.

Diabetic patients please consult your physician.

WHAT TO WEAR: Comfortable, loose fitting clothing. A short sleeve shirt that buttons up the front is preferable. Please wear comfortable walking shoes, as you will be walking on a treadmill.

WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU: Your medications or a list of your medications and your insurance cards. If your insurance requires you to make a co-payment, this will be collected at the time of your appointment.

WHAT IS IT: A Routine Exercise Tolerance Test is an essential diagnostic tool that can reveal valuable clinical information about the status of the cardiovascular system. You will be monitored with an electrocardiogram (EKG), while walking on the treadmill. An EKG is a graphic representation of the electrical forces produced by the heart. It can provide useful information about the metabolic status, fluid and electrolyte balance and the effects of various therapeutic interventions.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO ME?

Once you arrive, the nurse or medical assistant will take a brief history on you. Please be sure to have a list of your medications with you. You will then be asked to sign a consent form, which allows the physician to perform the test.

The next portion of the stress test is accomplished by walking on a moving belt called a treadmill. Several small pads called electrodes will be placed on your chest and an electrocardiograph (EKG) machine will monitor your heart rhythm. Your doctor will be present during this portion of the exam. The treadmill will move very slowly at first, and gradually increase in speed and incline. As you exercise, your heart rate and blood pressure will rise. This is normal. If you experience any unusual symptoms while walking on the treadmill, such as lightheadedness or chest pain, tell the doctor or nurse supervising your test. The procedure is then complete.

RADIONUCLIDE STRESS TEST

DOBUTAMINE STRESS TEST

THIS TEST TAKES APPROXIMATELY 2 TO 3 HOURS.

WHAT TO WEAR: Comfortable, loose fitting clothing. A short sleeve shirt that buttons up the front is preferable.

WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU: Your insurance cards and a list of your medications and/or your medications.

WHAT IS IT: The pharmacological radionuclide stress test is a diagnostic nuclear medicine exam used to determine if the heart muscle is getting the blood supply it needs. The exam requires the injection of a radioisotope through an intravenous (1V) line. The radioisotope contains a small amount of radioactive material that is cleared from your body by a natural process. The amount of radiation you will be exposed to is comparable to that from an X-ray. Millions of nuclear medicine exams are performed each year.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO ME: Once you arrive, the nurse or medical assistant will take a brief history. You will then be asked to sign a consent form, which allows the physician to perform the test An intravenous (IV) line will be placed in your arm or hand. A radioisotope will be administered by injection through the IV line and a special camera will take pictures of your heart. These are called your resting pictures.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR DOBUTAMINE

1. MEALS: NO FOOD OR LIQUIDS, ESPECIALLY CAFFEINE, 4 HOURS PRIOR TO THE TEST. Minimal amounts of water may be taken with your medication. If your test is at 1:00pm or later, you may have a light breakfast.

2. MEDICATIONS: Please consult your physician if you are currently taking any medications listed below, as it may be necessary to temporarily discontinue these medications 24 hours prior to your test.

3.Acebutolol—Secfral

Atenolol—Tenormin

Betaxolol—Kerlone

Betoptic Opthalmic

Celiprolol—Selecor

Esmolol—Brevibloc

Levobunolol-Betagan

Metipranolol—Optipranolol

Metoprolol—Lopressor/Toprol

Nadalol Corgard

Penbutolol—Levatol

Careteolol—Cartrol Pindolol Visken

Propanolol—Inderal

Sotalol Betapace

Labetalol—Nonnadyne

Timolol Blocadren/Timohde

Timolol Timoptic

Please take all other medications as directed by your physician.

If you are unable to exercise by walking on a treadmill, your doctor has ordered a pharmacological stress test using Dobutamine. Several small pads called electrodes will be placed on your chest and an electrocardiograph (EKG) machine will monitor your heart rhythm. Your doctor will be present during this portion of the exam. Dobutamine will be administered through your IV over 12 minutes, to increase blood flow to the heart. Following the administration of Dobutamine, a second set of pictures will be taken. The procedure is then complete.

PHARMACOLOGICAL RADIONUCLIDE STRESS TEST

ADENOSINE STRESS TEST

THIS TEST TAKES APPROXIMATELY 2 TO 3 HOURS.

WHAT TO WEAR: Comfortable, loose fitting clothing. A short sleeve shirt that buttons up the front is preferable.

WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU: Your insurance cards and a list of your medications and/or your medications.

WHAT IS IT: The pharmacological radionucleide stress test is a diagnostic nuclear medicine exam used to determine if the heart muscle is getting the blood supply it needs. The exam requires the injection of a radioisotope through an intravenous (IV) line. The radioisotope contains a small amount of radioactive material that is cleared from your body by a natural process. The amount of radiation you will be exposed to is comparable to that from an X-ray. Millions of nuclear medicine exams are performed each year.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO ME: Once you arrive, the nurse or medical assistant will take a brief history. You will then be asked to sign a consent form, which allows the physician to perform the test. An intravenous (IV) line will be placed in your arm or hand. A radioisotope will be administered by injection through the IV line and a special camera will take pictures of your heart. These are called your resting pictures.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR DOBUTAMINE

1. MEALS: NO FOOD OR LIQUIDS, ESPECIALLY CAFFEINE, 4 HOURS PRIOR TO THE TEST. Minimal amounts of water may be taken with your medication. If your test is at 1:00pm or later, you may have a light breakfast.

2. MEDICATIONS: NO PERSANTINE (DIPYRIDAMOLE) 6 HOURS PRIOR TO THE TEST. NO THEOPHYLLINE OR THEOPHYLLINE LIKE MEDICATIONS 48 HOURS PRIOR TO THE TEST.

Take all other medications as directed by your physician. All diabetic patients please consult your physician.

3. CAFFEINE: NO PRODUCTS CONTAINING CAFFEINE 18 HOURS PRIOR TO THE TEST.

If you are unable to exercise by walking on a treadmill, your doctor has ordered a pharmacological stress test using Adenosine. Several small pads called electrodes will be placed on your chest and an electrocardiograph (EKG) machine will monitor your heart rhythm. Your doctor will be present during this portion of the exam. Adenosine will be administered through your IV over 4 minutes, to increase blood flow to the heart. Following the administration of Adenosine, a second set of pictures will be taken. The procedure is then complete.