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Persantine Cardiolite Stress Tests

The Cardiolite stress test or cardiac nuclear perfusion study is a diagnostic tool that helps calculate blood flow to the heart during rest and stress/exercise. Adding Persantine makes it possible to study blood flow to the hearts of those patients unable to exercise in a traditional fashion, such as on a treadmill. Done under close supervision of health care professionals, the test requires little effort from the patient.

  1. Persantine

    • According to the website MayoClinic.com, dipyridamole (brand name Persantine) is a drug sometimes used to reduce risk of stroke or clot formation, especially in patients who have had mechanical heart valve replacement. Given by injection and dosed differently for a cardiac stress test, Persantine expands the coronary arteries, increases blood flow to the heart and thus mimics the effect of exercise on the heart without raising pulse rate.

    Cardiolite

    • Sestamibi (brand name Cardiolite) is a radioactive substance injected into a vein before the test begins. It collects in the regions of the heart that have good blood flow. A special camera, the gamma camera, can "see" the areas containing Cardiolite. These areas light up while the portions receiving decreased blood flow remain darker. MayoClinic.com reports the amount of radiation exposure in this study is less than that found in a typical chest X-ray.

    Gamma Camera

    • A computer, via commands from a skilled technician, controls the gamma camera. When used in a cardiac nuclear perfusion scan, the camera captures pictures of the heart and stores those images, along with detailed measurements of specific functions, for later review by physicians. According to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, the accuracy of the test depends upon a patient lying very still during the process. While the gamma camera comes very close to the body, the machine is not as claustrophobic as the "tunnel" of the MRI or other such scans.

    Before the Test

    • The patient should receive specific and detailed preparation instructions from his doctor. Physicians at California Pacific Medical Center note that patients must stop caffeine for 24 hours before the study. Patients are not to smoke on the day of the test. Many blood pressure medications can interfere with the results of the test as well. Asthmatics may also need to hold medications. Diabetics may need special instructions regarding their food intake and typical insulin regimen.

    What to Expect

    • The test will typically take two to four hours. The health care staff monitors the patient closely during and after the study to make sure there are no ill effects. For the resting portion of the test, approximately 30 minutes after the Cardiolite injection, the patient lies still on a table with arms overhead for 15 to 20 minutes while the gamma camera moves slowly over the upper torso. The process for the exercise/stress portion of the test is the same, done approximately 30 minutes following an injection of Persantine. Some facilities complete the resting scan after the exercise portion while others complete it before. If done after the exercise portion, the patient may have to return the next day. The cardiologist or primary care physician will contact the patient with the results of the scan when available.

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