Department of Diagnostic Imaging
Location: Suite 026
Director: Kurt Meehan, R.T.
Appointments: 216-382-2853
Hours: Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
General Description
What to Expect
How to Prepare
About the Department of Diagnostic Imaging
Registration Form
Notice of Privacy Practices and Patient Rights
General Description
A Nuclear Stress Test Sestamibi is a test to determine if your heart muscle is getting the blood supply it needs and how well your heart is working. Sestamibi is a radioactive substance that safely clears your body by natural processes.
What to Expect
While you are at rest, a small amount of Sestamibi will be injected into your blood through an intravenous (IV) line. After 30 minutes, images will be taken of your heart. The stress test portion will immediately follow. Electrodes will be placed on your chest and connected to an electrocardiograph monitor. A second small amount of Sestamibi will be injected. After 30 minutes, additional images will be taken of your heart. If you are unable to exercise, the drug, Persantine®, will be given intravenously. It has a similar affect on the heart as exercise. At the completion of the stress test portion, the technologist will remove the IV line.
The entire procedure takes about three hours to complete. Your Body Mass Index (BMI), which the technologist will calculate, will determine whether you will need a one- or two-day test protocol. A high BMI will require two days. In that instance, the scanning time will be approximately 1½ hours on each day. A written report will be sent to your physician approximately 48 hours after the test.
- No smoking or caffeine 24 hours before your scheduled appointment. Many soft drinks, cocoa and chocolate beverages and foods, as well as cold remedies, diuretics, and pain relievers contain caffeine, so please be sure to read all labels.
- Do not eat or drink for four hours before the test.
- Continue to take any medications you normally would, unless your physician has instructed otherwise.
- Bring a list of all the medications that you are currently taking.