Download Peterborough Cardiology Testing

Kawartha Cardiology Clinic / Peterborough Cardiology Testing
Done only at: The Peterborough Clinic
327 Charlotte Street, Suite 301
Peterborough, ON K9J 7C3
705-740-6888
EXERCISE STRESS OR PERSANTINE THALLIUM SCAN INFORMATION
(This test is also known as Nuclear Stress Testing)
Appointment Date:________________________________________ Time: ______________________
INSTRUCTIONS
ƒ EAT a light breakfast the morning of the test
ƒ NO caffeine (coffee, tea, chocolate or colas) for 12 hours prior to the test
ƒ NO medications containing caffeine (eg: Excedrin, Tylenol #1, #2, #3) for 12 hours prior to test
ƒ NO smoking or Nicotine patch for 12 hours prior to the test
ƒ NO Viagra (Silnedafil) within 24 hours of your test
ƒ BRING a complete list of your medications with you on the day of the test
ƒ 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
ƒ 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 you are told to stop Beta Blocker (e.g.: Acebutalol, Atenolol, Bisoprolol, Carvedilol, Metoprolol,
Propranolol, Sotalol) Do so in the following way: Cut down to 1 pill/day for 3 days, then ½ pill/day for 3 days
and then 0 (zero) pills for 3 days prior to test. 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.
S:\Thallium patient instructions - new.doc