Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - CRC on January 21, 1999 at 13:19:35:
In Reply to:
ThalliumThallium and sestamibi stress tests Stress Test posted by William Hanson on January 21, 1999 at 08:48:44:
I'm going to have a
thalliumThallium and sestamibi stress tests stress test done. The instruction & info sheet on the test was given to me at the doctor's office. It said the test is done in one day at 2 different times several hours apart. My doctor has schleduled one part to be done on Friday & the next part on the following Monday. Why is that?
Thanks for any info.
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Dear William,
Thank you for your question. Basically there are two parts to a
nuclearNuclear ventriculography imaging test. The order they are done may vary. There is a "rest" portion of the test where the underlying status of the blood supply to the heart is determined. The second portion is a "stress" portion. The stress may be induced with a treadmill, bicycle or chemicals. This portion of the test determines the presence of "
ischemiaHepatic ischemia
Ischemic colitis
Mesenteric artery ischemia
Testicular torsion
Vertebrobasilar circulatory disorders" that is lack of blood flow to the heart. A third picture is sometimes taken later to check for what is called "hibernating myocardium" that is heart tissue that is not getting much blood flow but is still alive. Each portion may be done on the same day or on different days depending upon the protocol.
I hope you find this information useful. Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only. Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies. Please feel free to write back with additional questions.
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to
selectSelect-ob
Select-ob+dha the physician best suited to address your
cardiacCardiac catheterization
Cardiac tamponade
Left heart ventricular angiography problem.