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Cardiology involves the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the heart
and blood vessels.
A PET scan can be used to help image both the blood supply to the heart as well as the metabolic activity of the heart. This is important to assess if you are at risk for, or have recently suffered, a heart attack. Please click here to learn more about how a PET scan can help. |
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What is a PET scan?
PET (Positron Emission Tomography) is a non-invasive procedure that can image both the blood supply to the heart as well as the metabolic activity of the heart.
With a PET scan, physicians can determine:
• Areas of the heart muscle that are not getting adequate blood flow due to blockages
in the arteries.
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Areas of the heart that may have been scarred due to previous heart attacks
• If a damaged part of the heart can recover its function if bypass surgery or angioplasty is performed.
There are several different PET radioactive tracers that can be used to image the heart, including CardioGen®-82 and FDG.
CardioGen®-82 Cardiac PET Scan
CardioGen-82 is a very short-lived radioactive isotope that is used routinely in cardiac imaging. A CardioGen-82 Cardiac PET procedure is a diagnostic imaging tool for the detection of coronary artery disease also known as CAD. CAD is a narrowing or complete blockage of the coronary arteries. CAD may be the underlying cause of a heart attack). CardioGen PET images allow physicians to evaluate the blood supply of the coronary arteries by imaging the heart muscle. The procedure results will provide information that will be used in the management of the patient’s cardiac care.
What is the procedure for a CardioGen® PET scan?
When scheduling the procedure:
At the time of schedule, the PET imaging center will give the patient information about the procedure, as well as instructions, including specific dietary requirements. The patient will normally be advised to avoid caffeine for 24 hours prior to the exam and certain medications may need to be stopped on the day of the exam. If the patient is taking medications, is diabetic or is pregnant or nursing, he/she needs to notify the PET imaging staff.
On the day of the exam
It is important for the patient to follow the instructions given by the PET imaging center or the physician.
Upon Arrival at the PET Center
The patient’s medical history will be reviewed.
A discussion of the patient’s current medications and most recent dose will be confirmed.
A consent form will be signed prior to beginning the procedure.
An intravenous line (IV) will be placed the patient’s arm to allow the Cardiogen and a stress agent to be infused.
Electrodes will be placed on the patient’s chest to monitor his/her heart throughout the procedure.
At the Time of PET Scanning
There are two parts to the study: rest and stress. Before the study begins, the patient will be asked to lie still on the PET imaging table. The table will be positioned into the scanner and a quick scan will be obtained to ensure the patient’s heart is positioned properly in the PET camera’s field of view.
After the initial scan is performed, the rest study will begin. A small amount of CardioGen will be administered via the IV line placed upon arrival at the PET center and the resting images will be acquired. The rest imaging takes approximately ten minutes. Next, the stress study will begin. A pharmacologic stress agent will be administered via the IV line to simulate the effects of exercise on the heart. Another small amount of Cardiogen will be infused through the IV line and the stress images of the heart will be obtained.
Upon PET Scan Completion
The patient is free to go home and resume normal activities.
The technologist will process the computer images.
The reading physician will interpret these images.
A report will be generated and forwarded to the patient’s physician.
FDG Cardiac PET Scan
A cardiac PET scan with FDG can help the physician determine if a patient with heart disease can have a bypass procedure or if he/she should be treated medically or be considered for a heart transplant.
What is the procedure for a FDG Cardiac PET Scan?
The procedures vary depending upon the PET imaging center the patient visits. The patient should contact his/her physician or the PET imaging center for further details.
Does insurance cover a PET scan?
Medicare and private insurance cover both Cardiogen-82 and FDG Cardiac PET Imaging. The patient is advised to speak with their physician or healthcare provider for more information. |
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