Precautions to Take After a Persantine Radionuclide Test

A persantine radionuclide test is a cardiac diagnostic test. It is usually administered to patients who cannot exercise who may have heart problems. Normally, when testing for heart problems or taking images of the heart, doctors would have patients exercise in order to increase their heart rate. Patients who cannot exercise are given a persantine radionuclide test to increase their heart rate, in order to take a picture of the heart and identify spots where the blood isn't flowing.

Necessity of Precautions

• The persantine radionuclide test involves injecting a radionuclide into the body through an IV, before pictures of the heart are taken. Radionuclides are radioactive, and thus carry all of the potential risks associated with any radioactive substance: radioactive contamination and radiation poisoning. The amounts of radionuclides administered during the test are relatively trace, and the test is generally safe. However, your body may contain trace amounts of radionuclides following the procedure, which can be released in bodily fluids including sweat and urine. Pregnant women and others, such as those with compromised immune systems, could potentially be harmed by even these trace amounts of radiation.

Radioactive Energy

• Because your body may contain some trace radioactive energy following the test, it is important to flush the radiation form your body. Mercy Heart Center recommends increasing your consumption of fluids- drinking a lot of water, for example- in order to flush the radioactive chemicals from your body. You should flush the toilet twice after urinating, and wash hands thoroughly in order to avoid contaminating others with potential radioactive energy from your body wastes following the test.

Precautions Due to the Test

• In addition to the possible dangers of the radioactive chemical used in the test, the test itself may give you a headache or cause you to feel flush. Although it will not cause drowsiness, driving after the test may not be recommended. Furthermore, an IV is administered during the test so you should ensure that you properly clean the area of the skin where the IV was inserted to avoid potential infection.