What is a Myocardial Perfusion Scan, Stress?
A myocardial perfusion scan is a type of nuclear scan that uses very small amounts of radioactive materials (radiopharmaceuticals) to assess the heart’s function and blood flow. • myocardial perfusion scan, with exercise A myocardial perfusion scan, with exercise, is used to determine what areas of the heart muscle (myocardium) have decreased blood flow during exercise. This is done by injecting a radiopharmaceutical (thallium or technetium) into a vein in your arm or hand while you are exercising on a treadmill. After the radiopharmaceutical is injected into your vein and has circulated through your blood stream, a special machine called a gamma camera will take pictures of your heart while you lie still on a table. This scanning usually lasts about 30 minutes. Any areas of the myocardium that have blocked or partially blocked arteries during exercise will be seen on the scan as “decreased activity spots,” or “defects,” because these areas will be unable to take the radiopharmaceutica
