What is a Myocardial Perfusion Imaging Scan (Thallium Scan)?
Myocardial perfusion scan is a cardiac diagnostic procedure helpful in determining any dysfunction in the heart, ranging from any blood vessel blockage to abnormalities. This technique employs nuclear medicines. It is helpful in similar cases such as:
* detection of cardiac disorders
* finding the degree of blockage of blood vessels
* evaluating heart function after cardiac surgery
It is the improved,less painful and effective diagnostic method available for detecting heart abnormalities employing the nulclides which are medicines containing Thallium / Technetium which forms cold-spots in affected areas by showing a different color when injected.The ruptured and blocked blood vessels, arteries and any other ventricular disorders can easily be spotted out and are diagnosed.In myocardial perfusion scan, a slight amount of radioactive material that is referred to as a radioactive tracer or radionuclide is infused to aid in the tissues examination which is under observation.The radionuclide that is injected into the body will travel through the blood circulation and get absorbed by the healthy cardiac muscles. But the unhealthy or poor heart muscles may fail to take up the tracer and will be seen in a different color. Any block in the blood flow or damage to the muscles can be easily identified with this cardiac imaging technique. Cardiac scanning is started with the infusion of the tracer and is continued throughout the procedure to assess any abnormality that is noticed meanwhile. The radiopharmaceutical used in myocardial perfusion scan is either technetium or thallium and this is infused into a vein in the hand or arm.Myocardial Perfusion Scan is very effective in detecting the ruptured and blocked blood vessels and for finding any ventricular abnormality.Myocardial perfusion scan is found to be highly effective with a fairly good percentage of dose. Older patients had the highest dosage of even 5.27 percent getting about 20 -50 mSv/year and 0.57% having a dose of more than 50mSv/ year from almost every sources available.
ADVANTAGE:
The notable advantage is that it can help in revealing the affected areas where it indicates different colors in the patterns.
http://www.heart-consult.com/articles/164/myocardial-perfusion-scan
Myocardial Perfusion Imaging (MPI) Scanning is a non-invasive technique used to evaluate the extent of heart disease. Under normal circumstances the coronary arteries supply oxygen to the heart muscles. When these arteries become blocked or narrowed, the heart may not receive enough oxygen leading to chest pain or breathlessness. This scan is a Nuclear Cardiology Imaging technique using the injection of small amounts of a radioactive (thallium) substance into the blood stream. The injected thallium can be visualised as it travels through the arteries to the heart before, during, and after exercise by a special gamma camera. How do I know if I need the test? If you have had chest pain or angina, or previous cardiac events you may benefit from this test. Our specialist Nuclear Cardiologists can advise you whether you need the test and answer any questions you may have. How do I prepare for the test? Do not eat or drink any products containing caffeine for 12 hours before the test. This i
