Nuclear cardiology tests safely take pictures of the heart. During a nuclear cardiology test, a very small amount of radioactive tracer (Cardiolite) is injected into a vein and is taken up by the heart. A very sensitive gamma camera then takes still pictures and movies of the heart with rest, exercise, or medication-induced stress testing.
These cardiac images help to identify coronary heart disease, the severity of prior heart attacks, and the risk of future heart attacks. These highly accurate measurements of heart size and function and amount of heart muscle at risk of damage enable Cardiologists to better prescribe medications and select further testing like a coronary angiogram, the need for angioplasty and bypass surgery, or devices to optimize treatment outcomes.
Test Preparation Information for Patients:
- Rest Muga Scan
- Myocardial Perfusion Imaging Exercise (Cardiolite)
- Myocardial Perfusion Imaging (Dipyridamole)