Nucleaire hard scan
- Article
- 2021-02-04
A nuclear heart scan is an imaging test that uses special cameras and a radioactive substance called a tracer to take pictures of your heart.
The tracer is injected into your blood and travels to your heart. Nuclear heart scans use computed tomography with single photon emission (SPECT) or cardiac positron emission tomography (PET) to detect the energy of the tracer and take pictures of your heart. This imaging test can detect if blood is not flowing to parts of the heart and can diagnose coronary artery disease. It can also check for damaged or dead heart muscle tissue, possibly from a previous heart attack, and assess how well your heart is pumping blood to your body. Compared to SPECT, PET takes clearer photos; however, both options can be used.
A nuclear heart scan can be performed in a medical imaging facility or in a hospital. Your heart will be checked with an electrocardiogram (EKG) during this test. Two sets of photos of 15 to 30 minutes each are taken. The first set of pictures is taken right after an exercise or medication stress test, as some problems can only be noticed if the heart is working hard or beating fast. If you are unable to exercise, your doctor can give you medication to increase your heart rate. Shortly after the stress test, the tracer will be injected into a vein in your arm. You may bruise the injection site. You lie still on a table sliding through a tunnel-like machine while the first set of photos is taken. The second set of pictures will be taken on the same day or the next day after your heart rate returns to normal.
Nuclear heart scans have few risks. The amount of radiation in this test is small. In rare cases, some people have a treatable allergic reaction to the tracer. If you have coronary artery disease, you may experience chest pain during the stress test. Medicines can help relieve your chest pain. Discuss with your doctor and the technicians conducting the test whether you are or might be pregnant. If the test is not urgent, you may have to wait until after your pregnancy to take the test. Let your doctor know if you are breastfeeding as radiation can pass into your breast milk. If the test is urgent, you may want to express and keep enough breast milk for one to two days after your test, or you can bottle-feed your baby during that time.
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