Cardiolite/Persantine Stress Test

The Cardiolite or Cardiolite Persantine Stress Test is a diagnostic exam used to determine if your heart muscle is getting the blood supply it needs. The Cardiolite Stress Test involves walking on a treadmill, while the Cardiolite Persantine Stress Test involves the administration of a drug to simulate stress.

Click here for the Cardiolite / Persantine Cardiolite Stress Test brochure

Your doctor would order a Cardiolite/Persantine Stress Test:

• Because of suspected coronary heart disease
• Following a positive cardiac stress test, with or without symptoms
• To rule out a myocardial infarction (heart attack)
• To evaluate collateral circulation
• As a follow up to previous cardiac surgery

What you should know

In preparation for your Cardiolite/Persantine Stress Test you should exclude caffeine, alcohol and smoking. If you are taking heart or blood pressure medications, check with your physician to see if you should stop the medication before your test.

If you are scheduled for a Persantine Stress Test, please stop taking Theophylline at your physician's request.

Please do not engage in strenuous exercise (brisk walking or jogging) on the day of your test. We need you rested.

Please do not wear jewellery or perfume for your test.

Wear loose-fitting, comfortable, short-sleeved exercise clothing and rubber-soled shoes. Do not wear a dress or skirt. Women should wear a bra for exercise.

Please report to Diagnostic Imaging Patient Reception. You should allow four to five hours for your test. You should not eat for three to four hours prior to the test, however water and juice are permitted before arriving.  If you are diabetic, you may have a light snack (toast and juice) two hours prior to your test if needed to stabilize your blood sugar levels.

You must not have consumed any caffeine products for 24 hours before your test appointment, as this jeopardizes the quality of your test.  If you arrive having consumed caffeine products within 24 hours your procedure will be rescheduled to the next available routine booking date.   Caffeine products include things like coffee, tea, chocolate, cocoa, pop and medicines or supplements with caffeine; even some “decaf” products still have some caffeine.

We will insert an intravenous into your arm which will deliver an injection of Cardiolite, before we scan you with a camera for 20 minutes. We will then accompany you to CardioRespiratory for the stress portion of your test.

Our cardiologist technologist will prepare you for your Stress Test. A physician will inject Cardiolite while you are on the treadmill. For a Persantine Stress Test, you will have the injection at rest. In both cases, you will then go to our Diagnostic Imaging department for a scan, after the exercise Persantine portion of the test is complete.

Please note that Persantine could cause headache or nausea and Cardiolite could result in a metallic taste in your mouth.

FAQs

How long will the Cardiolite remain in my system?

Your body will eliminate the Cardiolite after one or two days.

Why do I have to wait before the scan?

This allows time for the Persantine or Cardiolite to perfuse into your system.

Why do I have to have an IV?

It is easier to inject the Cardiolite while you are walking on the treadmill if it is done through an intravenous. It prevents you from having two separate injections.

How does the Cardiolite work?

The Cardiolite binds itself to the red blood cells and is circulated to the heart. We take pictures to show if there are any occlusions (obstructions) in blood flow to the heart.

Why do I have to exercise with this test?

The exercise stresses the heart so we can see if there are any changes that will indicate areas sensitive to stress.

Why do I have to sign a consent form?

There are slight risks to this test and the consent form allows you to be treated should any problems occur during the test.

Is the Cardiolite a dye?

No, the Cardiolite is a radioactive isotope. It is not a dye and does not have any side effects.

Contact us

Markham Site:  (905) 472-7020

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