PET/CT/CTA

What is a cardiac PET/CT exam?

A cardiac PET/CT exam is a painless imaging test that shows how well blood is reaching your heart muscle — both while you are at rest and while your heart is working hard. It uses a small amount of an imaging medicine, called a tracer, along with a specialized scanner.

Your doctor may order this exam if you are having symptoms such as chest pain or shortness of breath, if you have risk factors for heart disease, or if a previous stress test was not clear.

Download a PDF Version of the Patient Instructions and Consent here.

How do I prepare for a cardiac PET/CT exam?

• Do not eat or drink anything for [6–8] hours before your exam.
• Avoid caffeine for [24] hours beforehand — this includes coffee, tea, soda, chocolate, and some pain relievers such as Excedrin.
• You may be asked to temporarily stop taking certain medications. Check with your doctor before stopping any medication.
• Bring a list of all your medications, including anything over-the-counter.
• Tell us about any allergies, and let us know if you are or could be pregnant, or if you are breastfeeding.

What should I expect during the exam?

• Plan on about 45–60 minutes in our office.
• We will ask about your medical history and the medications you take.
• A nurse or technologist will place an IV in a vein in your arm.
• Small pads called electrodes are placed on your chest to monitor your heart's electrical activity throughout the exam.
• You will lie on a padded table that moves gently into the scanner, which is open at both ends.
• A small amount of the imaging tracer is given through your IV, and the camera takes pictures of your heart.
• You will then receive a medication through the IV that makes your heart work harder — similar to exercise — while more pictures are taken. Some people briefly feel warm, flushed, or short of breath. This passes quickly, and our staff is with you the whole time.

How are the results determined?

Dr. Hemstreet reviews the images to assess blood flow to your heart muscle and to look for areas of heart muscle damage, interpreting them together with your medical history, your symptoms, and your other test results. You will schedule an appointment with a physician to go over your results. We will also send the report to the doctor who referred you.