PET/CT Myocardial Perfusion Stress Test

At Cardiac Care Associates in Northern Virginia, we are dedicated to providing our patients with the most advanced and effective diagnostic tools for comprehensive cardiac care. We are proud to offer the PET/CT Myocardial Perfusion Stress Test, a cutting-edge imaging procedure available at our Reston location that provides unparalleled insights into the health and function of your heart.

Understanding the PET/CT Myocardial Perfusion Stress Test:

The PET/CT Myocardial Perfusion Stress Test is a non-invasive imaging technique used to evaluate the blood flow to your heart muscle, both at rest and under stress. This advanced test combines the strengths of two powerful imaging modalities:

• Positron Emission Tomography (PET): PET utilizes a small amount of a safe radioactive tracer that is injected into your bloodstream. This tracer is absorbed by the heart muscle, and the PET scanner detects the signals emitted, creating detailed images of blood flow activity. Areas with reduced blood flow, potentially indicating blockages or narrowed arteries, will show up differently on the PET scan.
• Computed Tomography (CT): CT uses X-rays to create cross-sectional images of your heart and surrounding structures. This provides detailed anatomical information, allowing our cardiologists to visualize the physical structure of your heart and identify any structural abnormalities.

By combining these two technologies, the PET/CT Myocardial Perfusion Stress Test offers a more comprehensive and accurate assessment of your heart health compared to traditional stress tests or standalone imaging procedures.

What Does the PET/CT Myocardial Perfusion Stress Test Do?

This sophisticated test allows our cardiologists to:

• Evaluate Blood Flow to the Heart Muscle: Determine if all parts of your heart muscle are receiving an adequate supply of oxygen-rich blood, both at rest and under conditions that simulate exercise.
• Identify Coronary Artery Disease: Detect the presence and extent of blockages or narrowing in the coronary arteries, which can restrict blood flow to the heart and lead to conditions like angina (chest pain) and heart attack.
• Assess the Severity of Existing Heart Disease: For patients already diagnosed with coronary artery disease, this test can help determine the severity of the condition and guide treatment strategies.
• Evaluate the Effectiveness of Cardiac Treatments: After procedures like angioplasty or bypass surgery, the PET/CT scan can assess the success of the intervention in restoring blood flow to the heart.
• Determine Cardiac Risk Before Surgery: For patients undergoing other surgical procedures, this test can help assess their overall cardiac risk and guide pre-operative management.

The Benefits of PET/CT Myocardial Perfusion Stress Testing:

Choosing the PET/CT Myocardial Perfusion Stress Test at Cardiac Care Associates offers several significant advantages for your heart health:

• Enhanced Accuracy: The combination of PET and CT imaging provides more detailed and precise information about blood flow and heart structure compared to traditional nuclear stress tests. The PET camera offers higher resolution images, leading to improved detection of even subtle abnormalities.
• Medication-Induced Stress: For patients unable to perform traditional exercise stress tests on a treadmill due to physical limitations, the use of a safe medication to simulate exercise provides a valuable and effective alternative.
• Comprehensive Assessment: This test provides both functional (blood flow) and anatomical (structure) information about your heart in a single procedure, offering a more complete picture of your cardiac health.
• Improved Diagnostic Confidence: The detailed images and data obtained from the PET/CT scan allow our cardiologists to make more confident and accurate diagnoses, leading to more tailored and effective treatment plans.
• Early Detection and Prevention: By identifying potential problems early, this advanced technology can help facilitate timely interventions and potentially prevent more serious cardiac events in the future.

Why Choose PET/CT Myocardial Perfusion Stress Testing at Cardiac Care Associates?

At Cardiac Care Associates, your heart health is our top priority. By offering the advanced PET/CT Myocardial Perfusion Stress Test at our Reston location, we are providing you with access to the forefront of cardiac diagnostics. Our experienced team of cardiologists and specialized technologists are dedicated to ensuring you receive a comfortable, safe, and informative testing experience. We utilize this powerful technology to gain a deeper understanding of your individual cardiac health, allowing us to develop personalized treatment strategies focused on your long-term well-being.

Pre-Procedure Guidelines:

To ensure the accuracy of your PET/CT myocardial perfusion stress test, please adhere to the following guidelines:

• Avoid caffeine and alcohol for 24 hours prior to your appointment. This includes coffee, tea, soda, energy drinks, and alcoholic beverages.
• Do not smoke or use any nicotine products for at least 12 hours before your test.
• Refrain from eating for at least 4 hours prior to your scheduled time. You may drink clear water.
• Stay well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water in the days leading up to your test.
• Wear comfortable, loose-fitting two-piece clothing. This allows easy access to your chest area for electrode placement. Please avoid wearing underwire bras. Sports bras are acceptable.
• Do not apply any lotions, oils, or powders to your chest area on the day of the test.
• You will be able to drive yourself to and from your appointment.

What to Expect During Your Test:

1. Your test will be conducted by a skilled team including a registered nurse and a nuclear medicine technologist specializing in PET and CT imaging.
2. The nurse will clean and prepare the skin on your chest, and small, sticky electrodes (ECG leads) will be attached to monitor your heart's electrical activity throughout the test.
3. An intravenous (IV) line will be inserted into your arm. A small amount of a safe radioactive tracer will be injected through this IV. This tracer is absorbed by your heart muscle, allowing it to be clearly visualized by the PET camera.
4. You will lie comfortably on a scanning table, typically with your arms positioned overhead, and will need to remain still during the imaging process.
5. A low-dose CT scan will be performed, immediately followed by the initial PET scan of your heart while you are at rest.
6. For the "stress" portion of the test, a medication called Regadenoson will be administered through your IV. This medication helps to relax your blood vessels and increase blood flow to your heart, mimicking the effects of exercise. You may experience some mild and temporary sensations during this time, which the nurse will monitor closely.
7. A second set of PET images will then be taken after the medication has been administered and its effects have been observed.
8. Throughout the entire procedure, the nurse will continuously monitor your ECG, blood pressure, and any symptoms you may experience. Please inform them if you feel any discomfort.
9. The actual imaging time on the table is typically around 25 minutes. The total appointment time is usually about 45 minutes.

Post-Test Guidelines:

• There are no specific post-test restrictions. You can resume your normal activities and diet immediately after the procedure.
• The small amount of radioactive tracer used will naturally leave your body within a few hours. Drinking plenty of fluids will help with this process.
• The expert team at Cardiac Care Associates will contact you with the results of your test. Please allow some time for the images to be reviewed and a comprehensive report to be generated.
• As the imaging may capture areas beyond your heart, you may also receive a separate report from our radiology partners for any non-cardiac findings. There will be no additional charge for this second report.