NUCLEAR TESTING

Sacramento Heart Nuclear Imaging Center (SHNC) offers state-of-the-art nuclear imaging for patients with various clinical cardiac diseases. A nuclear cardiologist and two nuclear medicine physicians staff the center. Additionally, SHNC offers general nuclear medicine procedures upon request.

There are many diagnostic tools available today to help evaluate the function of your heart. Your SACRAMENTO HEART CENTER physician may use a combination of these to assist in making an accurate assessment of your condition. Nuclear Studies are one type of testing your physician may use.

Nuclear Studies use a small amount of radioactive material called "Tracers", which is given to you through an IV in your arm, in connection with a special radiation detecting camera, to obtain information about your heart and how well it functions. Pictures of your heart will be taken at rest and after exercise. Special instructions for having a Nuclear test will be discussed further below.

Nuclear studies are simple and have few, if any side effects. Your physician will order the appropriate one needed for you. Our Nuclear Technologists will also review and answer any questions you might have, when they call and confirm your appointment the day prior to your test.

If at any point you have questions concerning the Nuclear study don't hesitate to call our office. Our staff will be happy to help you in any way we can.

Myocardial Perfusion Studies
3 types of Myocardial Perfusion studies are:

• Exercise Cardiolite - for this type of exam you will need to be able to walk on a treadmill.
• Adenosine Cardiolite - there is no treadmill used in this study. You will be given a medicine call Adenosine which will simulate exercise.
• Dobutamine Cardiolite - this study is very similar to the Adenosine study, but Dobutamine is used in patients with a history of asthma. The Dobutamine will also simulate exercise.

In a Myocardial Perfusion study, you will be given an injection of Cardiolite or Thallium. This material will concentrate in your heart muscle. The camera will allow us to visualize the blood supply to your heart muscle and observe it's functions before and after exercise. Remember exercise can either be in the form of walking on a treadmill or medically induced by the administration of Adenosine or Dobutamine.

Perfusion studies require you to be in our office for 4 - 6 hours. Be sure you bring something to do to help occupy your time. It can also be rather cool so you might need a sweater also.

Gated Blood Pool Imaging (MUGA)
In this type of Nuclear study you will also receive a "TRACER" through an IV site in your arm. The tracer allows the camera to follow your blood moving through the four chambers of your heart. The physician will look at these pictures almost like a movie. A MUGA may be done resting or with exercise usually in the form of a stationary bike.

In all Nuclear Studies the Nuclear Technologist will be with you during the actual study. You will need to remain in our office for the entire time of the study. If you have any problems or questions there will be staff nearby to help.

What to wear?
2 piece clothing. Avoid metal on your clothes like snaps or jewelry. Wear comfortable shoes if you will be walking on the treadmill.

Are there any special diet instructions?
• NO caffeine 24 hours prior to your nuclear study.
• NO nicotine after midnight prior to your study
• Nothing to eat or drink after midnight if your study is before 11:00 in the morning.
• If your study is scheduled for 11:00 or later you may have a light breakfast before 7:00 am

What about my Medication?
Medications will be discussed with you on an individual basis.