Download Myocardial Perfusion Imaging (MPI)

Date Assigned:
December 7 2016
Date Due:
December 16 2016
Myocardial
Perfusion Imaging
(MPI)
By: Madison Barker
MPI
● What is Myocardial Perfusion Imaging?
● What happens during an MPI test?
● There are two techniques used for MPI (SPECT & PET)
● The difference between SPECT & PET scans
● Why is an MPI used?
What is Myocardial Perfusion Imaging?
An MPI scan is a non-invasive imaging test that
shows how well blood flows through your heart
muscle. It can show areas of the heart muscle that
aren’t getting enough blood flow.
What happens during an MPI?
The technician places electrodes on your chest, arms and legs. The disks have wires that
hook up to a machine to record your electrocardiogram that is used to keep track of your
heartbeat and to tell the camera when to take a picture.
You’ll exercise on either a treadmill or an exercise bicycle
If you cannot exercise, your IV line will be connected to a bag that has a medicine to
increase the blood flow to your heart.
What happens during an MPI?
When you reach your peak activity level, you’ll stop and receive a small amount of
radioactive material (tracer) through the IV line.
You’ll lie still on a table for 10- 30 minutes while the gamma camera takes pictures of
your heart. During the resting part of the test, you’ll receive more tracer and
another set of pictures will be taken. This set of images will be compared to the
images taken after exercise or stress
The two techniques used
The two techniques for an MPI are a SPECT scan and a PET scan.
Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) is a noninvasive nuclear
imaging test that uses radioactive tracers to produce pictures of your heart.
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a noninvasive nuclear imaging test that uses
radioactive tracers to produce pictures of your heart.
What is the difference between a SPECT & PET scan?
A PET scan takes longer than a SPECT
A SPECT scan can be used when you’re having a heart attack
A PET scan has a higher resolution than a SPECT scan
Why is an MPI used?
If you have coronary artery disease
If you’ve had a heart attack and areas of scar tissue exist.
How well bypass surgery or other cardiac procedures are working
If you are having a heart attack and need more immediate tests
If you are at risk of having a heart attack
To see if your heart is getting enough blood
The Risks
There are little to no risks
There are only small amounts of radiation
exposed ( your kidneys will get rid of the
radiation in 24-72 hours)
Video of an MPI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYjWjjvs5Gc
Works Cited
Myocardial Perfusion Imaging (MPI) Test."
Myocardial Perfusion Imaging (MPI) Test. N.p., n.d.
Web. 12 Dec. 2016.