Has your doctor told you to have a 'Cardiac PET Scan' to check your heart? You might be a little scared when you hear the name. "What is this big-name test? Is it difficult? Does it hurt?" You might be wondering. But don't worry. Simply put, this is a very advanced test that can examine your heart health in a very detailed and accurate way. Let's talk about it in simple terms.
What exactly is a Cardiac PET Scan?
Imagine if there was a way to look inside your heart to see how the cells are working, whether they're getting enough blood, and whether there's any damage. That's what this PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scan does.
Here's what happens: A very small, safe radioactive tracer is injected into your body. It's not a dye or a contrast agent. It travels through your blood and into the heart's cells. Then, a PET scanner with a special camera detects the energy emitted by the tracer and creates three-dimensional (3D) computer images of your heart.
The specialty of this method is that it can detect heart problems earlier than other types of scans. Sometimes a PET scan is done in conjunction with a CT (Computed Tomography) scan. Then, both types of scans can be done on the same machine, giving a clearer picture of the heart.
In what situations would a doctor recommend this scan?
This test is ordered when your doctor needs to know something specific about your heart. For example:
- Check to see if there is a significant lack of blood flow to certain parts of the heart: Sometimes the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart muscle can become blocked. This will help to see exactly if this is the case.
- Check if you have coronary artery disease.
- Find out if there is any disease of the heart muscle.
- Find out if there is a heart infection or a specific medical condition such as Cardiac Sarcoidosis.
- Measure how much damage has been done to the heart after a heart attack.
- See how successful the treatment plan is already.
- Decide whether you would benefit from a certain procedure.
- Check your heart health before surgery.
How do I prepare for this scan?
To get the most accurate results from this test, it's very important to follow your doctor's instructions exactly. Let's look at how to generally prepare.
| The section to be prepared | Things to follow |
|---|---|
| Food and drink |
|
| Exercise and smoking | |
| Medications |
What happens during the scan?
The entire test can take between 1 and 3 hours, but you are only inside the scanner for about 30 minutes.
Before the test begins, you will be given a hospital gown to wear and your blood pressure will be checked. Then, the following things will happen in order:
1. Connecting an EKG: To monitor the electrical activity of your heart, several electrodes, similar to painless stickers, are placed on your chest. These remain in place throughout the test.
2. Inserting an intravenous (IV) cannula: A small cannula is inserted into a vein in your arm to give you the medicine and radioactive material.
3. Lying on the scanner: You will be made to lie on a bed in the middle of a large machine that looks like a donut with an empty space in the middle. It is important not to move during this time.
4. The first scan (Resting Scan): A small amount of radioactive material is injected through the cannula, and the blood flow to your heart is scanned while you are at rest.
5. Heart Exercise: Next, a special medication is given through the cannula to make your heart feel like you are exercising. You may feel hot, cold, or have a slight headache during this time. This is normal.
6. Second scan (Stress Scan): While the heart is in an "active" state, a small amount of radioactive material is injected again and the scan is performed.
Finally, the doctor compares these two scans (resting and stress) to reach a conclusion about the condition of the heart.
If you experience any discomfort during the test, such as chest, arm, or jaw pain, difficulty breathing, or dizziness, notify the staff immediately.
What happens after the test? And are there any risks?
When the test is over, the cannula in your arm will be removed. You can go home wearing normal clothes. However, if you have been given a sedative, you will not be able to drive. It is safest to go with someone else.
Very important: Drink plenty of water for 24 hours after the test. This will help the radioactive material that was injected into your body to be quickly eliminated from your body through your urine.
| Side effects and risks | Description |
|---|---|
| Minor side effects |
|
| Special Risks |
What happens when the results are received?
The doctor will usually receive your scan report within 24 to 48 hours. He or she will then discuss it with you.
These results essentially tell you which parts of your heart muscle are damaged, which parts can be repaired, and which parts are too damaged to repair. Based on this information, your doctor will be able to decide on the best treatment for you.
If the results are abnormal, what do you do next?
Depending on the condition of your heart muscle, your doctor may suggest treatments such as:
- Angioplasty
- Stent placement
- Coronary Artery Bypass Graft
- Changing the types of medications you are currently taking
However, sometimes, if the damage to the heart is too severe to be repaired even with surgery, the doctor may advise you to continue to control the disease with medication.
Take-Home Message
- A Cardiac PET Scan is a safe test that provides very in-depth and accurate information about the health of your heart.
- It is essential to follow the doctor's instructions (about food, drink, and medication) exactly before the test to get accurate results.
- If you experience any discomfort during the test, don't be afraid to let the staff know right away.
- Drink plenty of water after the test to help flush out the radioactive material from your body.
- The results of this test will greatly help your doctor choose the most appropriate treatment for your heart.
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