Nuclear Medicine Persantine Stress Test Patient Information Sheet

Your understanding of the treatments and tests you receive is very important to everyone at Howard Regional Health System. Therefore, this information sheet is meant to acquaint you with standard procedures followed in a routine nuclear medicine stress test. This document provides you with the basic facts and information about this test. Read the material, share it with your family and ask any clarifying questions of the nurse or technologist.

Definition:
A nuclear medicine stress test is done for the doctor to take pictures of your heart while you are stressed (exercising) as well as during rest. This test involves the injection of a radioactive 'tracer' that allows the heart muscle to be seen on the NM camera. This is especially useful in diagnosing coronary heart disease, the presence of blockages in the coronary arteries that supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. The amount of radioactive 'tracer' that is used is a very small amount and safe. However, if you are pregnant, suspect you may be or are a nursing mother, be sure to let your doctor or technologist know.

Preparation:

Arrive at Howard Regional Health System’s Cardiovascular Department for registration.
This test takes approximately 4 hours to complete. You may want to bring a book or some “time-occupying” distraction with you. You will be at the hospital for almost the entire time.
You will be able to drive yourself home after the test is completed.
Eat a small, fatty breakfast before coming to the hospital for the exam. This may include items such as bacon, peanut butter, cream cheese, sausage, whole milk, and butter.
If your doctor’s office has advised you to stop certain medications for this test, please do so at the time they advise. DO NOT STOP ANY MEDICATIONS UNLESS YOU ARE TOLD.
PLEASE DO NOT HAVE ANY CHOCOLATE, CAFFEINE, OR DECAFFEINATED PRODUCTS FOR 24 HOURS PRIOR TO THE TEST TIME. This includes even “caffeine-free” items and some prescription and over-the-counter medications. If you have questions about whether a medicine may contain caffeine, contact your pharmacy. The only acceptable drinks are water, fruit juice, white milk, Sprite, and/or 7-Up.
Wear loose and comfortable clothing. Men don't usually wear a shirt during the test. Women usually wear a light gown or blouse. If you will be walking on the treadmill, please wear comfortable pants or shorts with walking shoes such as tennis shoes.

Procedure:

Before the test, you will be given a description of the test and asked to sign a consent form.
You will be escorted to the Nuclear Medicine Department. An IV line will be inserted in a vein in your arm, and you will get an injection of a radioactive tracer. This tracer will allow pictures of your heart to be taken on a special camera.
You will be asked to wait in the waiting area for about 1-1_ hours. After that time, you will lay down on the scan table with both arms above your head. The camera moves slowly around you, and this part of the test takes about 20 minutes. In some cases, the test will be performed over a 2-day period.
You will be escorted to the Cardiovascular Laboratory Department. Several electrodes will be placed on your chest. This allows the recording of your heart’s electrical activity.
If you are walking on the treadmill, the exercise activity you are asked to do will slowly become more difficult as the test continues. When you reach your target heart rate, you will receive another injection of the radioactive tracer. You will walk for one more minute.
If you are receiving a medicine stress test, you will get the injection at a specific time during the infusion.
If during this period of exercise or medicine you experience any chest pain, discomfort, dizziness, or shortness of breath, let the nurse or doctor know immediately.
After the end of the stress portion, you will be allowed to leave the hospital until the time for the second set of pictures. You may eat or drink during this time, which is typically 1_ hours.
The pictures are compared to determine if there is a blockage in the blood supply to the heart muscle. Your doctor will discuss these results with you at a future office visit. The test results will give the doctor important information to better develop the best plan of care for you.

Your comfort during this procedure is very important to the staff at Howard Regional Health System. Please let the technologist know if there is something that can be done to make you more comfortable during this procedure. If you have other questions not answered on this sheet, please don’t hesitate to call the Imaging Services Department at (765) 453-8413. Thank you for allowing us to service your healthcare needs.