What is a myocardial scintigraphy?

This examination is a gentle and reliable nuclear medicine method for measuring myocardial perfusion.

This examination can assess the performance of the coronary arteries under stress or resting conditions.

This allows information about myocardial function to be derived, allowing any disturbances in the blood supply to the heart muscle to be localized and assessed according to their extent.

Myocardial scintigraphy – The Principle

To assess cardiac perfusion, the examination must be performed under stress. This stress is usually created using a bicycle ergometer or a drug that increases blood flow to the coronary arteries and heart muscle.
During the stress test, a small amount of a weakly radioactive substance is administered, which is distributed in the heart muscle tissue depending on the blood flow. The distribution of the substance is measured using a modern cardiac camera, which in turn allows the cardiac perfusion to be visualized three-dimensionally.

How does the examination work?

You must be empty-stomached before the examination: caffeinated beverages such as coffee, coke, or black tea are also not permitted before the examination – only water is permitted.

You should not be taking any heart medication on the day of the examination. Please ask your referring physician whether you can take a break on your heart medication. You may take your medication after the examination/after exercise – please bring it with you to your appointment.

During the examination, exercise is performed either by cycling on an ergometer or by taking medication – the radioactive substance is injected at the end of exercise.

You will then have 30-45 minutes to eat a high-fat meal. This improves image quality and is very important. The image is then recorded on the camera in a lying position, lasting 10-15 minutes.

If necessary, a resting examination, i.e., a further injection of the radioactive substance under resting conditions, will be performed after a few days (rarely on the same day). During this appointment, the injection of the radioactive tracer and the camera scan will be performed without prior exercise, and you should also eat another high-fat meal after this injection.

If you are scheduled for a rest appointment on a different day, please come in again on an empty stomach, but please take your usual morning medications with a sip of water.

What you should bring with you to the examination:

• your referral from your general practitioner or specialist
• all relevant previous medical findings, e.g., cardiac catheterizations or cardiac ultrasounds
• medication plan
• all medications (including all inhalers) you are taking
• a fatty meal (e.g., a buttered pretzel, a cheese or sausage sandwich with butter, a buttered croissant)

Please note:

• please remain empty-stomached  for 4 hours before the examination.
• do not drink coffee, tea, or coke (or other caffeinated beverages) on the day of the examination. You may drink water.
• do not take any blood pressure medication on the day of the examination (only after consulting your physician).
• plan at least 2 hours for the examination, including breaks (4 hours in some cases).

Do you have any questions about nuclear medicine examinations? We would be happy to advise you.