Myocardial Perfusion Scan RVI

Your doctor has requested that you have a Myocardial Perfusion Scan to look at your heart. This leaflet will answer some of the questions you may have before you attend. Please read carefully as it contains specific instructions. If these instructions are not followed, we will be
unable to perform the scan.

The scan looks at the blood supply to the coronary arteries into the heart using a radioactive
injection.

Please telephone the department to let us know if you weigh more than 100kg (15 1/2stones). Your weight is used to calculate the amount of radioactivity required for your injection.

Please avoid all caffeinated drinks or eating chocolate for 24 hours before the scan e.g. Tea and coffee including decaffeinated, hot chocolate, cola, energy drinks such as Red Bull and Lucozade.

Bring a list of all medications.

The following drugs should be stopped 24 hours before the test:
o Dipyridamole also known as Persantin or Asasantin
o Amynophylline also known as Phyllocontin
o Theophylline also known as Uniphyllin, Slo-phyllin or Nuelin SA
o All other medication should be taken as normal.

PLEASE ALLOW 2.5 HOURS FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT (we would like to encourage you to attend on your own if possible).

This test has no effect on diabetes. Please take insulin and medications as normal.

If you are or may be pregnant, it is important that you inform a member of staff prior to your scan. To avoid accidental irradiation, all patients between the ages of 11 and 55 years are asked about their pregnancy status.
If you are pregnant or breast feeding, please contact the Nuclear Medicine Department prior to your appointment.

The health professionals specially trained to perform your scan are Nurse Specialists, Clinical Technologists, Radiographers and radiography assistants and will fully explain the procedure.

Your appointment starts with an infusion of a medication (Adenosine) for 4 minutes. The Adenosine infusion will make you feel like you are doing exercise to increase your heart rate. During the infusion we will administer a radioactive injection, monitor your heart rate, measure your blood pressure, and perform a 12 lead ECG. For this, you will be asked to strip to the waist to allow us to place the ECG pads.

Once the infusion is complete, you will be asked to eat and drink and have a short walk. You may drink caffeinated drinks and eat chocolate now. There are several cafes in the hospital or if you prefer you could bring something with you.

One hour after your radioactive injection we will perform the scan using a special camera called a gamma camera. For the scan, we will ask you to lie completely flat on a bed, 3 ECG leads will be attached to your chest and two detectors will rotate around your chest for 20 minutes. There is no need to undress for the scan, if possible, try to wear clothing without metal zip fastenings, buttons or clips. If you suffer from claustrophobia, please note that camera does not cover your head, only your chest area.

Please contact us if you think that you cannot do this for any reason.

Most side effects are mild and are usually over within 30 minutes. They can include feeling hot and tired often not requiring treatment.
It is rare for patients to experience any serious side effects; however, staff are trained to provide appropriate care should this happen.

The radioactive tracer injection exposes you to gamma rays, which are a form of radiation. For your injection we use as little as possible.
The risks are very low and the benefits of having the results from the procedure greatly outweigh the risk.

For radiation safety reasons, pregnant persons or children should not accompany you for your appointment.

When the scan is complete, you will be free to go home or return to work.
A small amount of radioactivity will remain in your system for the next few days. To minimise any risk to you and your family/friends we ask you to:

• Drink plenty of extra fluids.
• Flush the toilet well after use.
• Wash your hands thoroughly each time you use the toilet.
  

You may require a further scan of your heart under rest conditions (without the Adenosine infusion). You will be contacted within 2 weeks. here are no restrictions for the scan under rest conditions, you may eat and drink as normal, including tea and coffee.

WHEN ON LEVEL 2

Nuclear Medicine Dept.
Level 2, Leazes Wing
Royal Victoria Infirmary
Richardson Road
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE1 4LP
Tel: (0191) 28 24038
nuth.nuclearmedicinervi@nhs.net
Monday to Friday 09:00am to 4:30pm