What is a cardiac PET study?
A PET study is used to check blood flow to your heart. You may need this test to check for damage after a heart attack or to see how well your cardiac treatment plan is working. You will get a small amount of radioactive tracer through an IV. The tracer is not a dye or contrast material. A special camera (PET scanner) is used to create images of your heart as the tracer moves through your blood vessels. You will also get medicine to minic the effect of exercise on your heart.
Important information to prepare for your test
Please follow these instructions so we do not need to reschedule your test.
Information About Medicine
Do not stop taking any type of medicine without first talking to your healthcare provider.
48 hours before your test
- Stop taking these types of medicine: dipyridamole (Persantine, etc), theophylline (Theo-Dur, Norphyl, Quibron, etc.), Aggrenox.
24 hours before your test
- Do not take medicine that contains caffeine (Excederin, Anacin, diet pills, NoDoz, etc.). If you aren’t sure if something contains caffeine, read the label or ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider.
- Stop taking these types of medicine: Isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, Ismo, etc.), isosorbide dinitrate (Dilatrate, Isordil, etc.), beta blockers (metoprolol, carvedilol/Coreg, atenolol, etc), nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, Nitro-Dur, Deponit, Minitran, nitro patch, etc.).
Day of your test
- Bring your medicine with you. This is in case there is a delay and you need to take your medicine.
- If you use an inhaler, bring it with you.
If you have diabetes
If you take insulin, ask the healthcare provider who manages your diabetes how much insulin you should take the day of the test. You may need to take half of your usual morning dose and eat a light meal 4 hours before the test. If you take pills to control your blood sugar, do not take them until after the test. Do not take your diabetes medicine and skip a meal before the test.
If you own a glucose monitor, bring it with you to check your blood sugar levels before and after your test. Tell us right away if you think your blood sugar is low. Plan to eat and take your medicine after your test.
Eating, Drinking and Other Information
24 hours before your test
- Do not drink or eat anything that contains caffeine or is labeled "decaffeinated" or "caffeine-free" (coffee and tea, cola; energy drinks, Mountain Dew, anything that contains chocolate).
Day of your test
- Do not eat or drink anything except water for 4 hours before your test.
- Do not smoke.
How long does the test take?
Your appointment will take 1 to 2 hours.
What happens during the test?
- You will have an EKG before and during the test.
- You will lie still on the table, and the camera will be around you,similar to a CT scan.
- The tracer will go into your vein through an IV. We will take images of your blood flow about 10 minutes after you get the tracer. These images show blood flow while you are resting.
- You will get medicine through your IV to open your blood vessels (vasodilator). This may cause you to feel warm or flush. You may get a mild headache.
- You will get another small amount of tracer, and another set of images will be taken. These images show blood flow while your blood vessels are opened wide (dilated), similar to when you exercise.
- We will watch the EKG monitor for any signs that the test should be stopped. Please tell us right away if you have chest, arm or jaw pain or discomfort; or if you are short of breath, dizzy, lightheaded or have any unusual symptoms during or after the test.
How do I get my test results?
A cardiologist will review the results and share them with the healthcare provider who ordered your test.
