Myocardial Perfusion Imaging (Persantine-Dipyridamole)

Your physician has referred you to the Diagnostic Imaging Department at United Hospital Center for a Myocardial Perfusion Scan using Persantine. Persantine, dipyridimole, is a drug used as a substitute for exercise during a stress test.

Instead of walking on a treadmill, you will be asked to lie on a bed. A small needle will be placed in a vein in your arm. Through this needle (IV), a nurse will administer the Persantine. During the administration, a nurse and a physician will monitor your heart beat, blood pressure, and breathing. After the administration is complete, a nuclear imaging technologist will administer a small amount of a radioisotope (Cardiolite) through the same IV tubing. When the injection is completed, the nurse will continue to monitor you for another 15-30 minutes. The Nuclear Imaging Department will begin taking your images after a 30-60 minute wait period.

Patients scheduled for this exam are asked to follow the instructions listed below:

1. Nothing to eat or drink 4 to 6 hours before scheduled procedure.
   
   
2. If you are receiving oral or IV Theophylline derivatives, these should be discontinued 48 hours prior to the persantine stress test, however, discontinuing 24 hours prior to exam is acceptable. You should also avoid caffeine-containing drugs for 24 hours prior to the procedure.

You SHOULD take other medications previously ordered unless discontinued by your referring physician.

Length: Injection and initial images -- approximately 2-3 hours; Persantine injection -- approximately 1-2 hours.

If you are pregnant, or think you might be, tell your doctor and the technician BEFORE your exam.