Cardiac PET-CT for Inflammation or Infection

A cardiac PET-CT for inflammation or infection uses a radiotracer and an imaging machine to detect inflammation of the heart muscle or infection in and around the heart.

Radiotracer

A radiotracer is a radioactive medication that is injected into your body through an intravenous (IV) line. A PET scanner detects cells that absorb the radiotracer, giving doctors information about your heart. The radiotracer decays over the course of a day. It leaves your body mainly through your urine.

Before Your Cardiac PET-CT For Inflammation or Infection

  • No food or drink after midnight the night before your appointment. You may drink water.
  • If you are anxious or claustrophobic, speak to your referring physician about taking an anti-anxiety medication on the day of your appointment. We are unable to prescribe and administer medication for this exam.
  • If you are on a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), be aware that we may need to remove it for the exam. Please plan accordingly.

24 Hours Before Your Appointment

  • Please keep a food journal for 24 hours before your appointment. Write down everything you eat and drink and bring it with you to your appointment.
  • Glucose chewable tablets and any medications containing glucose or dextrose are not permitted. Please advise your doctor that you will need to stop these medications to have this exam.
  • Follow a high-fat, high-protein diet. Keep your meals and snacks simple.

Foods You Can Eat

  • Eggs
  • Fried or broiled meats
  • Cooking oils
  • Water
  • Unsweetened black or green tea, black coffee
  • Garlic and seasonings that do not contain sugar

Foods to Avoid

  • Market or restaurant-prepared foods
  • Breaded meats, bacon or sausage
  • Dairy products
  • Vegetables
  • Sugary foods including candy and desserts
  • Fruit or fruit juices
  • Smoothies or blended beverages
  • Alcohol
  • Seasonings containing sugar
  • Grain heavy or starchy foods such as bread, rice, and pasta
  • Beans and legumes
  • Sugar-free products or artificial sweeteners

The Night Before Your Appointment

  • No food after midnight.
  • Drink plenty of water until the scan is complete.
  • Take medications as usual if they are permitted for this exam.

On the Day of Your Cardiac PET-CT For Inflammation or Infection

You will have a CT scan at the same time as your PET scan. A CT scan is a fast series of X-ray pictures. The CT pictures are combined with your PET scan to create pictures of your heart.

  • Check in for your appointment on the Connect patient portal. You may also check in when you arrive at the imaging center.
  • Please wear loose, comfortable clothing to your appointment. Leave your jewelry and valuables at home. Do not wear clothes that contain metal, such as hooks, buckles, or wires.
  • When you arrive for your appointment, a healthcare provider will explain the procedure and answer your questions.
  • A healthcare provider will prick your finger or draw blood from your arm to measure your blood sugar. We will test your blood sugar several times throughout the test.
  • A healthcare provider will insert an intravenous (IV) line in your arm.
  • You may receive an injection of a blood thinner (heparin) through the IV.
  • We will prepare you for an electrocardiogram (EKG) to measure your heart’s activity during the scan. We will place patches on your chest and arms, which connect by wire to an EKG machine. We may have to shave some hair to help the patches stick.
  • We will inject a small amount of a radiotracer through your IV line.
  • You will be asked to wait in the room for about 90 minutes. You can sleep, bring music to listen to, or watch videos on your personal device.
  • Next, we will ask you to lie on a narrow, padded table that slides into the scanner. The technologist will leave the room, but they will be able to see, hear, and speak with you at all times.
  • During the scan you will need to lie very still because movement can affect results.
  • The scan itself will take about 30 minutes. The entire process will take about four hours.

After Your Cardiac PET-CT For Inflammation or Infection

You may return to normal activities immediately after your cardiac PET-CT for inflammation or infection.

Risks

This is a diagnostic test, not a therapy. Doctors have used radiotracers to diagnose disease for more than 50 years, and there are no known long-term adverse effects of these procedures. Rarely, the radiotracer causes an allergic reaction.

Results

A board-certified doctor who specializes in imaging of the heart will carefully review the images and write up a detailed report. We will share the results with the doctor who requested the exam. Your doctor will then discuss the results with you.

How to Access Your Images

You can view, download, or share your exams through your Connect patient portal. 

Once you are logged in, select “View Radiology Images” from the menu.

Questions About Your Exam?

If you have questions or concerns before your cardiac PET-CT for inflammation or infection, call 212.305.5996. To reschedule your appointment, call 212.326.8518.