Cardiac Perfusion Scan

Cardiolite Stress Test, Myocardial Perfusion Scintigraphy, Nonexercise stress test, Nuclear Stress Test, Thallium Scan, Thallium/Technetium (Sestamibi) Cardiac Scan

Why It Is Done

A cardiac perfusion scan is done to:

• Find the cause of unexplained chest pain or chest pain brought on by exercise.
• Check for the location and amount of damage caused by a heart attack.
• Identify coronary artery disease (CAD).
• Help make treatment decisions for a person with CAD.
• Check to see that the heart is getting enough blood after heart surgery or angioplasty.
• Identify a congenital heart defect and determine how serious it is. These scans may also be done following surgery to correct a congenital heart defect.

Go to previous section	Go to top of page	Go to next section
Author:	Robin Parks, MS	Last Updated: December 24, 2007
Medical Review:	E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology
© 1995-2008 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.