It is a non-invasive nuclear medicine test of the heart. Radiopharmaceuticals are used, administered intravenously, which are mainly fixed in the myocardial muscle and allow the testing of the global and regional irrigation of the left ventricle.

The test is performed on an outpatient basis, and consists of 2 phases: rest and stress. At the beginning of the first phase, the radiopharmaceutical will be injected and a series of images will be taken. During the second phase, you will undergo a stress test, where you will exercise for a few minutes. During this last period, you will be monitored. When you reach the maximum, you will be administered the radiopharmaceutical again, and a series of images will be taken to evaluate your heart’s response to physical stress.

The duration of the test is approximately 5 hours.

Instructions and recommendations:

• Go fasting for 6 hours.
• Your cardiologist will instruct you if you should discontinue any blood pressure medications.
• Wear comfortable clothes and no metal objects.
• Do not drink any color drinks 24 hours before the test.
• Bring breakfast rich in fats, for example: sandwich with a fried egg, yogurt or a chocolate bar and water.
• No special care is required after the study.
• It is important to let your doctor know if you are pregnant, you think you are pregnant, or you are breastfeeding.