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Pharmacologic Cardiac Perfusion Study

Day of the Test
The test will be performed in the Nuclear Cardiology Department, located on the 8th floor in the Galter Pavilion, 201 E. Huron. Parking is available.

Plan to arrive 15 minutes before your appointment time. Please wear (or bring with you) comfortable clothing and shoes for walking on the treadmill. (Patient lockers and showers are available for your use.) Also, be sure to bring:

  • Your doctor's written order for the test
  • Insurance card
  • Medicare card (Medicare patients only)

During the Test
Step One: Pictures of the Resting Heart

  • Upon your arrival, a nurse or technologist will explain the test.
  • You will remain in your own clothes.
  • If you think you may be pregnant or if you are breastfeeding, please notify the nurse or technologist.
  • An IV will be placed in your arm and through the IV, you will be given a dose of Thallium, a diagnostic imaging agent that allows the camera to see the heart.
  • After the Thallium circulates in your body for 15 to 30 minutes, the first set of heart pictures is taken.
  • You will be asked to lie quietly on your back under the camera. The camera will be placed close to your chest and will take pictures for about 15-30 minutes at various angles.
  • It is very important that you do not move while these pictures are taken.

Step Two: Pictures of the Stressed Heart

  • You will be asked to put on a hospital gown.
  • You will be asked questions about your medical history.
  • You will be given a hospital informed consent form to read and sign.
  • The skin on your chest will be prepared for electrode (a small pad) placement. The electrodes are necessary to monitor your heart rhythm as it is being stressed.
  • The medication that stresses your heart will be given through the same IV that was used for the first part of the test. Depending on your health history, the stress medication that you receive will be either Adenosine or Dobutamine.
  • During the stress part of the test, the doctor and staff will closely monitor your blood pressure, heart rate, and rhythm. Be sure to tell the doctor if you have chest pain, dizziness, headache, feel flushed or other discomforts.
  • You may be asked to perform mild exercise for a few minutes (leg lifts or walking at a very slow pace on a treadmill).
  • At the time of peak stress to your heart, the diagnostic imaging agent called Sestamibi (the diagnostic imaging agent that allows the camera to see the heart) will be given in your IV.
  • Once the Sestamibi is given, the IV will be removed and you may change out of your hospital gown if you have not already.
  • The Sestamibi needs to circulate in your body for at least 60 minutes before the second set of pictures is taken.
  • You may be allowed to leave the department during this time or you may be asked to remain in the department. If you are allowed to leave the department, you may eat.
  • Be sure to return at the given time for your final set of pictures. Again, it is very important that you do not move while the pictures are taken.

Contact
If you have any questions about your test instructions, please call Nuclear Cardiology at (312) 926-8662, Monday through Friday, 7:30 am to 5 pm.

Test Guide

Pharmacologic Cardiac Perfusion Study
Before the Test
Day of the Test
After of the Test

Review Date: 12/05