dissection and thalium testing

  I have written recently to you about the spontaneous coronary artery dissection that I had on Oct 6, 1998.  I have 6 stents in the RCA.  I had restenosis occur in one of the stents on Dec 22, 1998.  My doctor wants me to do a thalium stress test on March 8th.  I am very nervous because the things I have read about dissection it seems most cardioloigist warn no extreme exurtion.  Do you feel this is a safe test for someone who has recently had a dissection?  Thank you

[CCF CARDIO MD DLB]

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Dear Melissa
Yours is an unusual enough situation such that there is really no data about what to do. A chemical stress test (where you do not actually exercise) would probably be safer than an actual exercise thallium test. This is what I would probably do. It also depends on how severe the restenosis appeared on the catheterization. If it were severe enough, I might opt to treat it without a stress test.
I hope this has been useful. I wish you the best of luck. Feel free to write back.
Information provided here is for general purposes only. Specific questions should be addressed to your own doctor. 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 select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.