Persantine Thallium Stress Test

Your doctor has recommended that you have a Persantine thallium stress test. This test will allow more accurate evaluation of the condition of your heart. Results from this procedure will also help your doctor decide what treatment is best for you.

The information below is intended to answer some of the questions you may have about the Persantine thallium stress test. Please contact your doctor about anything that you do not understand or would like more information about.

Your Heart and Coronary Artery Disease
To better understand why your doctor has recommended the Persantine thallium stress test, it is important to understand something about your heart and the arteries that supply it with oxygen.

Your heart is an amazing pumping machine that is responsible for supplying all the organs in your body with blood that contains oxygen and other life-giving nutrients they need to stay healthy. To do its job, your heart must to receive a sufficient supply of blood and oxygen through a special network of blood vessels called the coronary arteries.

The inner walls of the coronary arteries are normally smooth, allowing blood to flow through them easily. Over time, however, a condition called coronary artery disease (CAD) can develop in which fats and other materials carried in the bloodstream begin to adhere to the artery walls. When these materials build up, they become a substance known as plaque, which narrows or blocks the arteries and restricts blood flow. As a result, the heart may not receive the oxygen it needs to perform the work it is being called upon to do.

Why do I need a Persantine thallium stress test?
The Persantine thallium stress test will help your physician determine whether your coronary arteries have become narrowed or blocked as a result of coronary artery disease. Results from the test will assist your doctor in selecting the best course of treatment.

How do I prepare for the test?

• When scheduling your appointment, be sure to inform our staff whether you are taking medication for asthma, such as Theophylline or Aminophylline, or if you have chronic lung disease. Many physicians recommend that you stop taking these medications 36 to 48 hours before your test.
• Do no use nicotine products or consume caffeine for 4 hours prior to the test.
• Do not eat for 4 hours before the test. Diabetics may, however, have clear liquids. (If you are diabetic, please consult your physician regarding your diet for the test.)
• Continue taking your medications with sips of water.
• Wear a comfortable two-piece outfit.
• Bring your doctor's order or referral with you.
• Bring a list of your medications with you.

What will happen on the day of my test?
The Persatine thallium stress test consists of two separate testing periods which are performed on the same day. The testing periods each take about 1 ½ hours to complete, with a 3-hour delay in between.

The first and most important thing to remember when undergoing a Persantine thallium stress test is that the cardiologist who is conducting the test is also there to answer any questions you may have. A registered nurse and a nuclear medicine technologist will also be present.

During the test, the physician and technologists will monitor your heart with a machine called an electrocardiograph. To do this, ten electrodes, connected by wires to the electrocardiograph machine, will be placed on your chest. Your blood pressure will also be monitored.

An intravenous line (IV) will then be placed in your arm. Persatine and thallium will be given directly through the IV line. Persantine will be administered over a 4 minute period. Persantine dilates (expands) the coronary arteries (similar to what would happen during vigorous exercise). Arteries that have become narrowed because of coronary artery disease will not be able to expand as much as normal arteries.

Following Persatine, the nuclear medicine technologist will administer thallium. Thallium travels freely through the normal arteries that have been expanded by Persantine and less freely through the arteries that are narrowed. Thallium contains a very small amount of radioactivity that can be detected by a special camera. This camera will take pictures of the thallium as it travels through the heart.

Once images of the heart have been taken, you may leave the Nuclear Medicine Department and have a light meal (i.e. a piece of toast and juice, a sandwich, or a bowl of soup). Before leaving the department, you will be informed of a time at which to return for the second part of your test.We prefer that you do not drink coffee or smoke until the second part of the test is completed.

Upon your return, you will be given another injection of thallium and asked to sit in the waiting room for about an hour. You will then be escorted to the camera area where a second set of pictures will be taken of your heart at rest.

By studying these pictures, the doctor will be able to see which areas of the heart may have decreased circulation. Test results will be provided to your referring physician within 5 to7 work days.

Reducing your Risk for Heart Disease

• Don't smoke
• Have your blood pressure checked regularly
• Reduce your intake of fats and cholesterol
• Maintain your ideal weight
• Exercise regularly according to your physician's guidelines

Inquiries
Our goal is to provide you with excellent care. If you have any questions or comments, please contact:

Jan Duval, RN
Coordinator, Heart Station
847-723-5480