| Nuclear Cardiology | |
| Nuclear Scans are usually used to assess for the presence and severity of coronary artery disease. A blood flow tracer, technetium sestamibi, is injected intravenously and a resting image obtained. A second injection is given after exercise or chemical stress and the heart is re-imaged. Differences between the rest and stress scans indicate abnormal blood flow to the heart. For patients unable to perform exercise treadmill testing stress is performed with the drug adenosine, which dilates normal blood vessels but not those with blockages. The diagnostic accuracy of adenosine stress with a nuclear scan is similar to that of exercise testing with a nuclear scan. All ECA cardiologists supervise and interpret nuclear stress testing. Dr. Yu is the director of our nuclear imaging program. | |
