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Patient Education
Nuclear Cardiology
Nuclear Cardiology Studies are primarily used to asses the viability of cardiac tissue and its blood supply from the coronary arteries. Much like an Echocardiogram, a Nuclear Study can be performed at rest or during exercise. In order to produce the vibrant images of various regions of the heart, a radioactive agent called a tracer is injected into the patient's circulation. The tracer is absorbed by heart muscle at different rates depending on the degree of narrowing in the coronary artery supplying that specific area. Special cameras are necessary to visualize the tracer within the heart.
(Click to view large image)
Cardiovascular physicians at USC perform Nuclear Studies in state-of-the-art facilities, utilizing highly efficacious tracers, exposing patients to non-allergenic, non-toxic isotopes emitting a minimal amount of X-Ray radiation. Nuclear studies are non-invasive and produce accurate results when other study results are inconclusive. Such studies are routinely used to assess the severity and extent of Coronary Artery Disease ; the clinical significance of cardiac tissue affected by narrowed coronary arteries; evaluate regions of previous infarction; and to determine the change in blood supply to the heart muscle after a Cardiac Catheterization or Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery (CABG) . Nuclear studies can also determine the size and pumping ability of the heart.
In order to obtain optimal results, patients are advised to avoid caffeinated beverages such as coffee and soda as well as some medications prior to their study. Patients are able to resume their regular daily activities immediately after the procedure.
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