Cardiac PET-CT Stress Test

A cardiac PET-CT stress test uses medication to increase the blood flow to your heart, adding stress in the same way that exercise does. A PET-CT scanner takes pictures of a radiotracer during this process, providing important information about your heart. This test may also be called a myocardial perfusion scan or an ammonia PET.

Radiotracer

A radiotracer is a radioactive medication that is injected into your body through an intravenous (IV) line. The radiotracer used for a PET-CT cardiac stress test has a very low level of radioactivity and no side effects. The radiotracer stays in your body for less than two hours. It leaves your body mainly through your urine.

Before Your Cardiac PET-CT Stress Test

It is important that you follow all instructions before your test. Your test may need to be rescheduled or repeated if preparation is not complete.

• No food or drink after midnight the night before your appointment. You may drink water.
• Do not eat or drink anything with caffeine for 24 hours before your appointment. This includes chocolate, soda, tea, and coffee. Some over-the-counter medications also contain caffeine, including Anacin, Excedrin, and NoDoz. Please note that decaffeinated products also contain some caffeine and should be avoided.
• You may have to stop taking some of your medications for one or two days before your test. This may include over-the-counter medications. Your doctor or nurse will tell you which medications to stop and which you should keep taking.
• If you are taking diabetes medications, such as insulin, be sure to ask your doctor or nurse about how to take these medications before your test.
• 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.
• Bring all your medications or a list of them with doses to your appointment.
• Do not apply oil, lotion or cream to your skin on the day of your test.

On the Day of Your Cardiac PET-CT Stress Test

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.
• You will be given a radiotracer through an intravenous (IV) line in your arm.
• 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 put a cuff on your arm to monitor your blood pressure during the scan.
• 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, we will take images of your heart twice: first at rest and second during the medication stress. You will receive an injection of the radiotracer for both scans and an injection of the medication for the second scan.
• During the scan you will need to lie very still because movement can affect the results.
• You will be in the imaging room for one hour. Please allow two hours for the entire appointment.

After Your Cardiac PET-CT Stress Test

You may return to your normal activities immediately after your cardiac PET-CT stress test.

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 stress test, call 212.305.5996. If you need to reschedule your appointment, call 212.326.8518.