Overview
A
Cardiolite or sestamibi stress test is a diagnostic test designed to
detect and evaluate heart disease. It is able to detect the effects of
plaque build-up in the arteries, which can put patients at risk for a
heart attack. A Cardiolite stress test is a non-invasive test and carries
no risk beyond that of the treadmill testing itself. To perform a Cardiolite
stress test the patient is given a small amount of radioactive material,
which is absorbed by the heart muscle in different concentrations. The
radioactive isotope injected for the study produces less radiation than
most x-ray procedures. A gamma camera is then used to detect and map the
radiation throughout the heart and produce images. A Cardiolite stress
test is one of the fastest and most accurate ways to assess heart health
and function.
Test Preparations
- Please consult your doctor regarding whether you should take your medications.
- Please inform your doctor if there is a possibility that you are pregnant.
- We ask you to wear comfortable clothing, and if you are going to have a treadmill test, please bring sneakers or other comfortable walking shoes.
You should discuss with your doctor whether or not to take your medicines
on the day of the test. If you are diabetic, it is very important to
talk with your doctor about taking your diabetes medicines or insulin
the day of the test. - You may eat a light breakfast one hour before your arrival but do not drink coffee, tea, soda, or eat chocolate 24 hours before your test. The caffeine in coffee, tea, some sodas, and chocolate can interfere with the medicine we may need to give you.
- Please drink about an eight-ounce glass of water or juice the morning of your test.
- If you smoke, please refrain from smoking for at least 4 hours before your test.
- Please feel free to bring a jacket as it sometimes cool in the testing area.
What Can I Expect the Day of the Test?
- We will explain the test and answer any questions or concerns you may have
- An IV will be started in your arm and a small amount of Cardiolite will be administered. (Cardiolite is a substance that lets us take pictures of your heart).
- You will then wait about one to two hours in our waiting room. A family member may accompany you during this break. The reason we have you wait is to allow the imaging agent to clear out from the surrounding organs around the heart.
- You will then have pictures of your heart taken with a special camera. This will take about 20 minutes.
- You will be asked to come back in about two hours to start the second half of your test
- Next you will walk on the treadmill. If you are unable to exercise on the treadmill a pharmacological stress will be performed instead. (See Pharmacological Stress below).
- At peak exercise a second injection of Cardiolite will be administered.
- After the exercise or pharmacological stress there is a 30 to 60 minute break. You may eat at this time.
- A second set of pictures will be acquired. This will take about 15 minutes.
- The total test time is about five hours.
Pharmacological Cardiolite Stress Test
- A Cardiolite stress test is indicated in some patients who are unable to perform treadmill exercise because of orthopedic or other problems. In such patients the cardiac effect of exercise stress can be simulated by the intravenous administration of a coronary vasodilator such as adenosine. The imaging of the heart proceeds as described above.
Why come to the Lexington Cardiology Consultants for Nuclear Cardiology?
- Our lab has the latest dual-headed gamma camera, which in some cases can cut scanning time in half and is complemented by a highly trained, courteous, and specialized staff.