As a leading provider of Mobile Diagnostic Imaging in La Habra, CA, we invite patients due for a PET/CT scan to watch the video on the right. If you have further questions about PET/CT or are scheduled for a SPECT scan, click the icon below for the appropriate test. Both of our English and Spanish patient brochures are available below for both PET/CT and SPECT scans.
If you have questions regarding which brochure best applies to you, please contact us by calling during our office hours.
A cardiac Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan is used by doctors to evaluate the health of your heart. The results help your doctor determine whether you may need follow-up care. If you are already being treated for a heart-related condition, this exam can also help your doctor monitor your condition and adjust your treatment plan if needed.
Knowing what to expect can help you feel more relaxed during the procedure. Most cardiac PET scans are completed in less than one hour; however, a longer appointment should not be cause for concern.
No caffeine products 48 hours prior to your test. This includes tea, coffee (even decaffeinated), chocolate, soda, or energy drinks.
The following are general guidelines to follow before your scan:
Consult your physician about taking your medications before the exam.
Stop smoking before the test.
Do not eat 4 hours before your scan.
Do not drink 2–4 hours before the start of the test. Clear liquids are OK.
Wear a comfortable two-piece outfit to the exam.
Trained medical personnel will be with you throughout the exam.
You will be asked questions about your medical history.
An IV line will be placed in your arm to allow administration of medication.
Small pads (electrodes) will be placed on your chest so the medical team can monitor your heart throughout the study.
You will be asked to lie on your back on a scanning table.
Your blood pressure will be monitored during the procedure with an automatic blood pressure cuff.
A small amount of radiopharmaceutical will be given through your IV line to allow the PET scanner to take images of your heart.
The amount of radiation exposure you receive is low and considered safe.
The PET scanner will take pictures of your heart during both the rest and stress phases. Each imaging phase may last up to 10 minutes.
The stress phase (second part) of the exam is usually performed with a medication that makes the arteries of your heart respond as if you were exercising.
The medication is given through the IV line while an electrocardiogram (ECG) monitors your heart.
Please let the technologist know if you have any symptoms during the test.
You may experience chest discomfort, palpitations, headache, shortness of breath, or a flushing feeling. These symptoms usually subside within a few minutes.
Your test is finished when both rest and stress scans have been completed. Be sure to ask the technologist about returning to your normal diet and routine. Most patients return to their normal routines immediately after the test. If you have any questions, feel free to ask before leaving the scanning room.
Your scan information will be processed by the technologist and given to your physician or an interpreting physician for review. A written medical report will then be generated.
Before you go home, be sure to schedule a follow-up appointment with your doctor to review your results.
A Nuclear SPECT scan (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography) is a 3D scan of your heart. A small, safe amount of a radioactive drug called a tracer is used to determine how well your arteries deliver blood to your heart muscle. The process of your heart taking up the tracer is called perfusion.
Arteries that are narrowed or blocked can reduce blood flow to the heart, which may appear as reduced or absent perfusion in the cardiac muscle. This can indicate a problem your doctor should evaluate.
One scan is taken while your body is at rest, and one is taken after stress. If your scan is abnormal, comparing these images can help your doctor determine whether there is an infarct or ischemia.
Infarct: A defect present in both the rest and stress scans.
Ischemia: No defect in the rest scan, but a defect appears in the stress scan.
Knowing what to expect can help you feel more relaxed during the procedure. The stress portion of your exam may be performed on a treadmill or with medication prescribed by your physician. The entire test will take approximately 2–3 hours.
No caffeine 24 hours prior to your test.
This includes tea, coffee (even decaffeinated), chocolate, soda, or energy drinks.
General guidelines:
When you schedule your test, mention all medications you are taking. Ask if you should stop any of them the day of the test (such as beta blockers).
Stop smoking before the test.
Do not eat 2–4 hours before the start of the test. Clear liquids are OK. No caffeine.
Wear comfortable clothing, ideally a two-piece outfit. Wear walking shoes if your stress test will involve a treadmill.
In 30–45 minutes after the initial injection of tracer, the rest scan of your heart will be performed and usually takes about 10 minutes. After the stress portion and second injection, you will be scanned again about 30–60 minutes later.
During the test:
An IV line will be started in your arm.
An initial tracer (such as Cardiolite or Thallium) will be given through the IV line.
About 30–45 minutes later, you may be attached to an EKG and have your rest scan. This will take around 10 minutes. For the clearest images, remain as still as possible once the scan begins.
Next, you will be taken to the treadmill room for the exercise, or stress, portion of the exam. You will be asked to walk or exercise for a few minutes.
If you are unable to reach the needed exercise level, your doctor may prescribe medication that increases blood flow to your heart as if you were exercising.
During the stress portion, you will be connected to an EKG and a blood pressure monitor.
A second tracer will be given through the IV line for the stress scan.
About 30–60 minutes later, you will return for your second (stress) scan. This also takes about 10 minutes. Again, please remain as still as possible once the scan begins.
Your test is finished when both rest and stress scans have been completed. Be sure to ask the technologist about returning to your normal diet and routine. Most patients return to their normal routines immediately after the test. Be sure to review any important follow-up steps with your doctor.