Nuclear Cardiology

Hours of Operation

  • Monday – Friday 07:30 – 18:00 hours
  • No after hours on-call coverage
  • Exercise and persantine nuclear stress testing

QCH Wait Time for Nuclear Cardiology Services

Same day to two weeks depending on urgency.

Nuclear Medicine Myocardial Perfusion Imaging Preparations

  • Your Doctor has requested a Nuclear Cardiac Stress test for you.
  • The test will last all day and the patient should be prepared to be here until approximately 15:00 hours.
  • You are to arrive 30 minutes before your test time.
  • You may drive your car home.
  • There are many restrictions for this test.


Exercise Stress Scan

This is a two-part test where the patient must be able to exercise on a treadmill. This test is done to assess your coronary blood vessels. Patients should wear loose clothing and running shoes.

Persantine Stress Scan

This is a two-part test not involving a treadmill. This test is done to assess your coronary blood vessels. Patients allergic to Aminophylline or Theophylline cannot have this test.

 

Restrictions for Stress Perfusion Heart Test (Nuclear Cardiology)

A Nuclear Cardiology appointment takes approximately 6-7 hours. If you have questions prior to the procedure, please call the Diagnostic Imaging Department at (613) 721- 4711. If you must cancel, please give at least 24 hours notice.

 

Dietary and Medication Instructions:

Please bring all your medications with you. All medications will be restarted immediately after your test.

72 hours prior to your test

After checking with your Physician, please stop the following asthma medications:

  • Aminophylline
  • Quibron150
  • Theo24
  • Trental (Pentoxifylline)
  • Slo-Bid
  • Choledyl (Oxtriphylline)
  • Uniphyl
  • Theodur Theophylline)


24 hours prior to your test

  • Do not take Viagra (Sildenafil) or Cialis or Levitra
  • Do not take Aggrenox or Persantine


From 7:00 AM on day prior to your test

Do not take any medications that contain caffeine such as:

  • 222
  • Anacin
  • Dristan
  • Lenoltec 1,2,3
  • Tylenol 1,2,3,4
  • Sinutab with codeine
  • Excedrin
  • Midol
  • Vanquish
  • Appetite control pills
  • 292
  • Darvon
  • Fiorinal
  • No Doz
  • Vivarin
  • any generic brand that may contain caffeine, including appetite suppressants, analgesics or multivitamin or mineral supplements


Do not drink any caffeinated or decaffeinated drinks such as:

  • coffee
  • soft drinks (regular or diet Coke, Pepsi, Root Beer, Sprite)
  • Tea (regular, decaf or herbal)
  • Power or energy drinks (Red Bull, GURU, Hype)


Do not eat chocolate or cocoa, or any food or drinks containing chocolate or cocoa
No smoking

 

4 hours prior to your test

Do not eat or drink anything. You can take your medications with a sip of water. You should expect to remain fasting for the entire day.


The morning of your test

Unless otherwise advised by your Physician, do not take:

  • Imdur (Isosorbide mononitrate)
  • NiutroDur .3, .4, .6, .8
  • Minitran .2, .4, .6
  • Nitrong
  • Isordil (Isosorbide dinitrate)
  • Transderm .2, .4, .6
  • Nitropaste

Continue to use nitroglycerin tablets or spray under the tongue for relief of chest pain if necessary.


Description of Procedure

A perfusion heart test involves two injections of a small amount of radioactive material which looks at blood flow to the heart. An intravenous (IV) line will be placed in a vein of your arm. You will receive one injection at rest and another injection during a stress test – either exercise stress on a treadmill or drug inducted stress with Persantine medication. Two sets of pictures – one at rest and one after stress – will be taken of your heart using a special Gamma camera. You will be asked to lie on your back while the camera takes a series of pictures. When both your rest and stress pictures are complete, a Physician will interpret the images and a written report will be sent to your referring Physician. As part of our Quality Assurance Program you may be contacted in the future as a follow up to your test.