With this in mind I thought it relevant to post some information on these tests.
Types of Nuclear Heart
Scans
The two main types of nuclear heart scans are
single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and cardiac positron
emission tomography (PET).
Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography
Doctors use SPECT to help diagnose coronary heart disease (CHD). Combining
SPECT with a stress test can show problems with blood
flow to the heart. Sometimes doctors can detect these problems only when the
heart is working hard and beating fast.
Doctors also use SPECT to look for
areas of damaged or dead heart muscle tissue. These areas might be the result
of a previous heart attack or other cause.
SPECT also can show how well the
heart's lower left chamber (left ventricle) pumps blood to the body. Weak
pumping ability might be the result of a heart attack, heart failure, and other causes.
Tracers commonly used during SPECT
include thallium-201, technetium-99m sestamibi (Cardiolite®),
and technetium-99m tetrofosmin (Myoview™).
SPECT is a noninvasive nuclear imaging test. It uses radioactive tracers that are
injected into the blood to produce pictures of the heart.
Positron Emission Tomography
Doctors can use PET for the same
purposes as SPECT—to diagnose CHD, check for damaged or dead heart muscle
tissue, and check the heart's pumping strength.
Compared with SPECT, PET takes a
clearer picture through thick layers of tissue (such as abdominal or breast
tissue). PET also is better at showing whether CHD is affecting more than one
of your heart's blood vessels.
Right now, however, there's no clear
advantage of using one scan over the other in all situations. Research into
advances in both SPECT and PET is ongoing.
PET uses different tracers than SPECT.
PET is a noninvasive nuclear imaging test that uses radioactive tracers to produce pictures of
your heart. Doctors use cardiac PET scans to diagnose
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