Nuclear medicine uses radioactive materials to help diagnose and treat a wide variety of diseases and disorders. Our nuclear medicine team uses special equipment and procedures along with radioactive materials to learn how certain organs function, and to diagnose and determine the extent of certain diseases. This is the best early warning system for certain kinds of heart disease.

Preparation
You will be notified about eating or drinking prior to this procedure and you will receive special instructions regarding your medications.

The Procedure
This procedure usually requires four to six hours during which you will be given an injection of radioactive compound. Different compounds are used to study different parts of the body.

This compound will travel through your body, continuously giving off gamma rays or invisible radiation. The gamma rays make it possible to show the location of the compound in your body.

Special equipment detects the gamma rays and records them as flashes of light, creating a picture or image of the part of your body being studied. A computer may help make the images easier to interpret. The results will be interpreted by a nuclear medicine physician and your physician to determine whether the organ being studied is structured and functioning properly.

Cardiac imaging is used to study blood flow to the heart or heart function, or to detect a recent heart attack. The isotope or radioactive compound is usually given once while the patient is exercising and once while the patient is at rest.

If you have questions or concerns about this procedure, please ask the members of your nuclear medicine team. They will be able to answer your questions.

Following the Procedure
You may resume your normal activities and diet. Please don't bathe or shower until you have recovered from the exercise.