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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
L-BBB's and Thallium Stress Tests
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L-BBB's and Thallium Stress Tests
by Bodoni, Dec 14, 2000 12:00AM
I have a Left Bundle Branch Block and recently had a
Thallium stress test with treadmill. While I did not
last very long on the treadmill, I was told the results
were normal and I did not experience any angina or
chest pain during the test. Just shortness of breath
and extreme tiredness - probably from being very decon-
ditioned.
Afterwards, I got a call from my doc and he said they
need to re-do the test. He indicated that I may be getting
a false-positive result from the Thallium nuclear scans.
The results were abnormal and/or inconclusive.
So, this time - they plan to use Adenosine to stress me
rather than the treadmill. Then, I assume - they will
scan my heart the same way as they did last week.
My basic questions are:
1. Will using Adenosine make the test more accurate in any
way? And if so, why?
2. Is there a more effective [ non-invasive ] way other than Adenosine / Thallium to determine if one really does have any arterial blockage[s]?
3. Is it common for folks with L-BBB's to get abnormal or
false positive results with treadmill/Thallium tests?
Thank you very much for the Heart Forum and your informative
answers.
Thallium stress test with treadmill. While I did not
last very long on the treadmill, I was told the results
were normal and I did not experience any angina or
chest pain during the test. Just shortness of breath
and extreme tiredness - probably from being very decon-
ditioned.
Afterwards, I got a call from my doc and he said they
need to re-do the test. He indicated that I may be getting
a false-positive result from the Thallium nuclear scans.
The results were abnormal and/or inconclusive.
So, this time - they plan to use Adenosine to stress me
rather than the treadmill. Then, I assume - they will
scan my heart the same way as they did last week.
My basic questions are:
1. Will using Adenosine make the test more accurate in any
way? And if so, why?
2. Is there a more effective [ non-invasive ] way other than Adenosine / Thallium to determine if one really does have any arterial blockage[s]?
3. Is it common for folks with L-BBB's to get abnormal or
false positive results with treadmill/Thallium tests?
Thank you very much for the Heart Forum and your informative
answers.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF CARDIO MD - DLB, Dec 14, 2000 12:00AM
1. If you were able to increase your heart rate appropriately while exercising, the adenosine will not provide any more info. If you were not, then the adenosine will be useful.
2. A cardiac catheterization would be more definitive, but does carry some risk.
3. Yes, this is not uncommon.
2. A cardiac catheterization would be more definitive, but does carry some risk.
3. Yes, this is not uncommon.
