Cardiolite (Myocardial Perfusion)

What is it?

• A stress test with Cardiolite® is a way to determine if your heart muscle is getting the blood supply it needs. To perform the test a small amount of the radioactive tracer called Cardiolite® is injected into your blood. If you are unable to exercise for the test on a treadmill, your doctor may decide to use a drug, or pharmacological stress agent such as Adenosine or Dobutamine.

How does the test work?

• A stress test with Cardiolite® usually consists of taking pictures of your heart in two phases; resting and after stress.
  • Cardiolite® will be injected while you are at rest, the Cardiolite® must circulate for 60 minutes then the Nuclear Medicine camera will take pictures of your heart.
  • Cardiolte® will be injected during the stress portion of the test, then the Nuclear Medicine camera will take pictures of your heart again.

What should I do before the test?

• Treadmill: Nothing to eat or drink after midnight the night before the test. No medicine the morning of the test. Do not discontinue any medicine unless instructed by your doctor. You should wear comfortable footwear for brisk exercise.
• Adenosine: No medicine the morning of the test. Nothing to eat or drink after midnight the night before the test. Do not discontinue any medicine unless instructed by your doctor.
  • For 24-48 hours before the test, do not eat or drink any foods or medications listed below:
    • Beverages containing caffeine (such as coffee, tea, colas, or other soft drinks)
    • Foods containing caffeine (chocolate; including candies, frosting, pies, cakes, cookies, cocoa, or chocolate milk)
    • Over the counter pain relievers that contain caffeine, including Anacin® and Excedrin®
• Dobutamine: No medicine the morning of the test. Nothing to eat or drink after midnight the night before the test. Do not discontinue any medicine unless instructed by your doctor.
  • For 24-48 hours before the test, do not eat or drink any foods or medications listed below:
    • Beverages containing caffeine (such as coffee, tea, colas, or other soft drinks)
    • Foods containing caffeine (chocolate; including candies, frosting, pies, cakes, cookies, cocoa, or chocolate milk)
    • Over the counter pain relievers that contain caffeine, including Anacin® and Excedrin®  
   

  For a consultation, please call

   (740) 356-8220

  The staff of nuclear medicine is available for consultation from 6:00am to 5:00pm Monday through Friday.