What is a Persantine (Dipyridamole) Cardiolyte Stress Test?
• This is a test that can be done on patients that cannot exercise on a treadmill at all, or not adequately to achieve a desired heart rate. • Electrodes are placed on the chest to monitor and record heart rate and rhythm. • A blood pressure cuff is placed on one arm to measure blood pressure before, during, and after the test. • An I.V. line is started to administer the persantine and the cardiolyte. • Persantine dilates the blood supply to the heart, increasing the blood flow – this is similar to what happens with exercise. • After the test portion is done, the patient goes to outpatient radiology – located on the 1st floor in the outpatient building. There they have special cameras that take pictures of the circulation to the heart. The patient lies on their back with their arms over their head for 15 minutes. Two sets of these pictures are taken to show the circulation to the heart at rest, and with simulated effects of exercise.(from the persantine) The second set must sometimes b
