Cardiac Viability PET-CT

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A cardiac viability PET-CT uses a radiotracer and an imaging machine to look at the health of your heart muscle. This test is usually done either after a heart attack or when someone develops heart disease. The test checks the blood supply to your heart and how well the heart muscle takes up sugar (viability). During a cardiac viability PET-CT, we will take pictures of your heart twice.

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. You will be given two different radiotracers for this exam. The radiotracers decay over the course of a day. They leave your body mainly through your urine.

Before Your Cardiac Viability PET-CT

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.

Information For Diabetic Patients

Patients Who Are Not Insulin-Dependent

If you are on oral diabetes medications, please do not eat or drink after midnight. Water is acceptable. Also, if applicable:

You may take metformin (GLUCOPHAGE®), pioglitazone (ACTOSTM), and rosiglitazone (AVANDIA) as scheduled.
Reduce sulfonylureas (e.g., glimepiride, glipizide, glyburide) to a half dose on the morning of your appointment.
Do not take sitagliptin (JANUVIA®) or saxagliptin (ONGLYZA®) on the morning of your appointment.

Patients Who Are Insulin-Dependent

Consult with your doctor to adjust your insulin using these recommendations:

Reduce PM doses of insulin glargine (Lantus®) and Levemir® by half on the evening before your appointment.
Reduce AM dose of intermediate or long-acting insulin (NPH, Levemir®, or insulin combos, such as 70/30, 75/25, etc.) or Lantus® by half on the morning of your appointment.
Take half basal dose of insulin pump on the day of your appointment.
You should not take the following medications until right before you eat a normal meal: nateglinide (Starlix), repaglinide (Prandin), pramlintide (SYMLIN®), exenatide (BYETTA®) or liraglutide (Victoza®).

On the Day of Your Cardiac Viability PET-CT

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.
We will give you a sweet drink to raise your blood sugar levels.
A healthcare provider will insert an intravenous (IV) line in one or both of your arms.
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.
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.
We will inject a small amount of a radiotracer through your IV line. This tracer allows us to take pictures of the blood flow to your heart. We will ask you to lie still while we take the pictures, for about 15 minutes.
We will then test your blood sugar again, and adjust if necessary. You may be given insulin through an intravenous (IV) line in your other arm.
Once your blood sugar is stable, we will inject a second radiotracer through the IV in your arm. You will then be asked to wait in the room for about 60 minutes. You can sleep, bring music to listen to, or watch videos on your personal device.
We will ask you to lie still while we take a second set of pictures of your heart for about 20 minutes.
Please allow four hours for the entire appointment.

After Your Cardiac Viability PET-CT

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

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 viability PET-CT, call 212.305.5996.If you need to reschedule your appointment, call 212.326.8518.