Thallium test (IV)

[Lana110]

This may sound like a silly question; but I am wondering how the IV is hooked up in preparation for Thallium stress testing on a treadmill?   I am scheduled for this procedure very shortly, and have had many previous issues with hooking up an IV into my wrist.  Can the IV be put into my arm?  My understanding is that Thallium is injected near the end of the stress test ...  (I've had 4  previous regular stress tests which have caused me to go into an arrhythmia and am not looking forward to this test, but am only really apprehensive about the IV).  Appreciate any info you can give me to be prepared.  

[jim62]

What a silly, silly question.

The IV is done just like any other IV.  I got mine in the same spot that they use to draw blood and such.  If I am remembering right, they shoot you with the thallium and then take a series of at rest pictures.  Then you do the treadmill part to get your heart rate up, and they do another series of pictures.  Then you go on about your business like nothing ever happened.

Of course, if you're going to have a problem (which you won't), what better place for it than a cardiologist's office??

[Momto3]

I have run into the same problem.  For whatever reason, the spot where my elbow bends (on the inside) is the BEST for IV placement.  I did have a successful placement at the wrist, but only once.  Now, I let the doctors/nurses/whoever is there know I would like the IV in my arm.  It works great!

Wishing you great results!  Keep us posted.

[bzmed]

Each time I've had one they put it at the elbow.  It goes in before the test ... they take pictures.  You get going on the stress test.  They get pictures again once the test is complete.

Best of luck!

[Salim937]

I am told thallium test results are heavily dependent on the skills of the technician ? so what would happen if I land having the test under a tech who maynot be very good ?

Salim

[EFT56]

You bring up something interesting ! the test depends on the skills of the Doctor -cardiologist or even Technician - when I had my first test.
it was in 2parts stress then rest !  I had 3 cardiologists while on the treadmill part - watching and talking ? when the rest part came up I had one technician doing the rest part (scan)   had a 2nd one done a few years ago - had one tech do it all start to finish, he flubbed up the rest part and I had to come back and do the rest part the next day!
real fun there !!   the test according to my cardiologist wasnt done right, he wanted another one done asap ! I refused him !!  
enough is enough !  As I read some of the dyes they use in these tests ,cause cancer and stay in the body up to 4 to 6 months.. sometime a year !  and a person can get side effects from dyes..
I dont know if they changed the dyes as yet, I hope so.. but it is interesting how some hmo's and centers put techs into doing important and special tests, that a cardiologist should be doing himself !   I dont trust tech's  they are not skilled enough ! and do make alot of misstakes !   and no#1 they are not Doctors !  simple as that !