Thallium stress test
Thallium Stress Test
Your doctor will generally order a Thallium Stress Test to look for certain conditions in your heart. The nuclear images will provide your doctor with information about heart blockages, heart disease or evidence of prior heart attacks.
On the Day of Your Exam
- Arrive 15 minutes before appointment time.
- Wear comfortable clothing and non-slip shoes.You will need to be prepared to exercise on a treadmill.
- Take all medications as directed and bring a list of medications you are taking.
- Bring doctor's order for test.
- Eat a light meal.
- Cancellations must be made 24 hours in advance.
What to Expect
The staff at the front desk will take your insurance information and invite you to wait in our lobby. Sometimes your wait may be extended if the patient before you is somehow delayed. The whole procedure will take 2-2 1/2 hours. Our technologist will escort you to the preparation room Here you will be asked some medical questions. The technologist will explain the examination to you and will start an IV and give one injection. This part of the process will take about 10 minutes. You will be invited to wait in the lobby for the IV material to circulate for about 20 - 30 minutes.
Why do I Need an IV?
The IV injection is a material called Technetium 99 M “Myoview” The Myoview will circulate with your blood. This material is absorbed by the heart and detected by the nuclear camera later in the study. The myoview will only stay in your body for 24 hours. The myoview contains small amounts of radioactivity. The amount of radiation you will be exposed to is equivalent to a general x-ray.
The Camera Room
In the camera room, you will be asked to lie on a table with your hands above your head. The technologist will start the exam. You will be asked to remain still. The camera will gradually move around you in a circle taking pictures of your heart by detecting the position of the myoview. Sixty pictures are taken. This process takes 14 minutes of camera time. These pictures are known as the “resting” pictures. They will provide a basis for comparison.
Treadmill
A technologist will apply small “leads” to your chest. These leads are connected to an EKG machine to monitor your heart. You will step onto the treadmill. The treadmill is sloped to simulate walking uphill. The speed will gradually be increased until you reach your desired heart rate. This will take 10 - 15 minutes. The purpose is to increase your heart rate to its limit in order to track reactions. Best results will be achieved if you exercise as long as possible. A paper EKG strip will be created.
Back to the Camera Room
Once you reach your maximum heart rate, you will be given a second injection of myoview in the IV provided. You will be moved back to the camera room for another set of images. This time 480 pictures are taken over 14 minutes. The IV will be removed and you will be released.
Reporting
All test results will be reviewed by a cardiologist. Each physician creates a report that will be sent to your referring physician within a week of your exam.
Thyroid Uptake and Scan
What to expect
The staff at the front desk will take your insurance information and invite you to wait in our lobby. Your wait may be extended if the patient before you is delayed.
Reporting
Your test results will be reviewed by a radiologist. The physician creates a report which will be sent to your referring physician within a week of your exam.
Hours
Monday and Thursday: 8 AM to 8 PM
Tuesday and Wednesday: 8 AM to 4 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM to 4 PM
Some Saturday Appointments are available.
adder X-Ray, CT Scan with contrast injection; Ultrasound is fine).
