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Myocardial Perfusion Scan
A Myocardial Perfusion Scan is a scan of the heart to diagnose heart disease. It assesses the blood flow of your heart and shows how well the coronary arteries are working. It involves having an injection of a very small amount of radioactive material, MIBI or Tetrofosmin (tracer) into a vein. The tracer gives off gammarays which can be detected by a special camera, so we can take pictures of your blood as it travels around the body.
If you are having chest pain or shortness of breath, this scan allows the doctor to look at the blood supply to your heart to discover the possible reasons for these symptoms. It is non-invasive, in that no instruments are used inside the body.
The scan is done whilst your heart is beating faster. This is achieved either by you taking exercise or by means of a drug.
This test is performed in two sessions each week in conjunction with nuclear medicine. If the images show that one area of the heart muscle has taken up a reduced amount of radiation then rest images are taken – normally the following week.
Preparing for a Myocardial Perfusion Scan:
- Remain caffeine free for 48 hours prior to the scan
- Eat only a light breakfast if your scan is in the morning or a light lunch for afternoon scans
- Wear loose clothing and comfortable shoes
- Please bring your medications or a list of the medications that you take
- For most scans there is no need to change any regular medications
- Please do not bring children to the department; this is to avoid exposing them to any unnecessary radiation.
Female patients should not have this scan if they are pregnant, breastfeeding or if they have very young children (less than 2 years).
These scans are safe. We use very small amounts of radioactive material. The radioactive tracer has no side effects.
After your scan you can eat and drink normally. You may go anywhere you wish; but please avoid prolonged close contact with children for the rest of the day. This is to avoid exposing the children to any unnecessary radiation, however small.