EXERCISE STRESS OR PERSANTINE THALLIUM SCAN INFORMATION

(This test is also known as Nuclear Stress Testing)

INSTRUCTIONS

§ EAT a light breakfast the morning of the test

§ NO caffeine (coffee, tea, chocolate or colas) for 12 hours prior to the test

§ NO medications containing caffeine (eg: Excedrin, Tylenol #1, #2, #3) for 12 hours prior to test

§ NO smoking for 12 hours prior to the test

§ NO Viagra (Silnedafil) within 24 hours of your test

§ BRING a complete list of your medications with you on the day of the test

§ 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

§ PREGNANCY WARNING: If you are nursing or think you may be pregnant, please let the staff know

If you are scheduled for treadmill exercise, you will need to wear comfortable shoes and comfortable shorts or pants.

Medications

If undergoing exercise testing, you must withhold your Beta-Blocker (e.g.: Acebutalol, Atenolol, Bisoprolol, Carvedilol, Metoprolol, Propranolol, Sotalol) for 3 days prior to your test. Cut down to 1 pill/day for 3 days, then ½ pill/day for 3 days and then 0 (zero) pills for 3 days. You may restart this medication upon completion of the test.

PURPOSE

Thallium imaging is valuable for detecting the presence and extent 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. Close monitoring of your ECG and blood pressure will be done throughout your test. To assess the coronary arteries, we compare images of your heart taken after a stress test and again after rest. The “stress test” is performed either by exercising on a treadmill or by receiving medication called persantine.

Exercise: You will walk on a treadmill that 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 line.

Persantine: Persantine is given through the intravenous line. Following the administration of persantine, the thallium will be given through your intravenous line.

Thallium Imaging: Thallium is a radionuclide tracer that allows us to visualize the heart muscle with a nuclear medicine camera. Thallium is not the “contrast dye” that 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 20-30 minutes. Two sets of images will be taken on the day of the test. You will have several hours of free time before you return for the second set of images. A reminder note will be given to you by the Nuclear Imaging staff.

SHOULD YOU NEED TO CANCEL: The Thallium tracer is very expensive and 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 at least 24 hours in advance so that we can book someone else in your place. Otherwise, you may be billed for the cost of the thallium tracer.