EXERCISE OR PERSANTINE
THALLIUM SCAN INFORMATION
The Kawartha Cardiology Clinic
327 Charlotte Street, Peterborough.
K9J-0B2
Booking Line 705-740-6888
Ext. 1
This is a 2 part test. The appointment time for the second set of images will be given to you on the day of the test.
IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS -- READ
CAREFULLY !
·
Eat a light breakfast on the morning of the test.
·
No caffeine in any form (coffee, tea, chocolate or colas - including
decaffeinated versions) for 24 hours
prior to the test.
·
No medications containing caffeine (such as Tylenol #1, #2 and #3) for 24 hours prior to the test.
·
No smoking, nicorettes or nicotine patches for 12 hours
prior to the test.
·
No Viagra, Levitra or Cialis for 24 hours
prior to the test.
·
Bring a list of your medications with you on the day of the test.
·
PREGNANCY WARNING
- If you are nursing, or think you may be pregnant
please call the Nuclear Imaging lab at 745-9195 for instructions.
·
Some medications may
interfere with this test – please ask
your doctor if any of your usual medications need to be temporarily withheld
prior to testing.
Stop: ( ) hrs. before test
You may restart these medications upon
completion of the test
PURPOSE
Thallium imaging is
valuable for detecting or confirming the presence, extent and severity of
coronary artery disease.
PROCEDURE
In preparation for the test, you will have ECG leads placed on your
chest and an intravenous line will be started.
Your ECG and blood pressure will be monitored during your test. To assess the coronary arteries, we compare
images of your heart taken after a stress test, and again at rest. The “stress test” is performed either by
exercising on a treadmill or by giving a medication called persantine.
Exercise : You will walk on a treadmill which will
increase in speed and elevation every 3 minutes. One minute before the
treadmill is stopped the Thallium tracer will be given through your
intravenous. If you are scheduled for
treadmill exercise you will need to wear comfortable shoes (no sandals or high
heels) and comfortable shorts or pants.
Persantine :
Persantine is given through the intravenous line. Following the administration of persantine,
the thallium will be given through your intravenous.
Thallium Imaging :
Thallium is a radioactive tracer which allows us to visualize the heart
muscle with a special camera. Thallium
is not the “contrast dye” which is used for many x-ray imaging
procedures such as CT scanning. It is
very uncommon to have any reaction to Thallium. After the thallium injection, you will be taken to the nuclear
imaging department where a series of images will be taken. You will be required to lie on your back for
approximately 15-20 minutes. A reminder
note with your return appointment details will be given to you by the Nuclear
Imaging staff. After several hours of
free time, you return for the second set of images.
SHOULD YOU NEED TO CANCEL...
The thallium tracer is very expensive and it has a very limited shelf
life. It cannot be saved for use at a
later date. Also there is a long list
of patients waiting to have this test.
Therefore, if you are unable to keep your appointment it is imperative
that you call 705-740-6888 24 hours in advance so that we can
book someone else in your place.
Similarly, it is important that you comply with the test preparation
instructions so that we can perform your test.
Otherwise, we may cancel your test and you may be billed for the cost of
the thallium tracer.