Heart PET scan

A PET scan requires a small amount of radioactive material (tracer). This tracer is given through a vein (IV), most often on the inside of your elbow. It travels through your blood and collects in organs and tissues, including your heart. The tracer helps the radiologist see certain areas or diseases more clearly. You…

You may be asked not to eat anything for 4 to 6 hours before the scan. You will be able to drink water. Sometimes you may be given a special diet before the test. Tell your health care provider if: You are afraid of close spaces (have claustrophobia). You may be given a medicine to help you feel sleepy and less…

You may feel a sharp sting when the needle containing the tracer is placed into your vein. A PET scan causes no pain. The table may be hard or cold, but you can request a blanket or pillow. An intercom in the room allows you to speak to someone at any time. There is no recovery time, unless you were given a medicine…

A heart PET scan can reveal the size, shape, position, and some function of the heart. It is most often used when other tests, such as electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiogram and cardiac stress tests do not provide enough information. This test can be used to diagnose heart problems and show areas in which there is…

If your test involved exercise, a normal test will usually mean that you were able to exercise for as long as or longer than most people of your age and sex. You also did not have symptoms or changes in blood pressure or your ECG that caused concern. There are no problems detected in the size, shape, or function of…

Abnormal results may be due to: Coronary artery disease Heart failure or cardiomyopathy

The amount of radiation used in a PET scan is low. It is about the same amount of radiation as in most CT scans. Also, the radiation does not last for very long in your body. Women who are pregnant or are breastfeeding should let their provider know before having this test. Infants and babies developing in the womb…

It is possible to have false results on a PET scan. Blood sugar or insulin levels may affect the test results in people with diabetes . Most PET scans are now performed along with a CT scan. This combination scan is called a PET/CT.

Dorbala S, Di Carli MF. Nuclear cardiology. In: Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Tomaselli GF, Bhatt DL, Solomon SD, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier 2022: chap 18. Kramer CM, Beller GA, Hagspiel KD. Noninvasive cardiac imaging. In: Goldman L,…