Pharmacologic With Radiopharmacologic Stress Testing

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Pharmacologic with radiopharmacologic stress testing is also called a nuclear stress test. This test uses medicines to make the heart work just like it does when you exercise. A clear image of the heart before, during and after having the heart work under stress is seen. It is for people who have heart-related symptoms or other medical conditions and cannot do an exercise stress test. The medicines used will cause the heart to work harder and pump more oxygen-rich blood to the body. Any change in the heart activity including the rate and rhythm is seen and recorded. A blockage in the arteries or damage in the muscles or walls of the heart may be seen with nuclear stress testing.
  
  
• Medicine that works on the blood vessels or muscles of the heart is given during and after the test. This is done through an intravenous (IV) tubing inserted in a vein, usually in the arm. Images of the heart while you are resting and during and after giving the medicine are taken using a special camera. Your heart activity is recorded using an electrocardiogram (ECG), and watched on a screen. Having a nuclear stress test as soon as possible may diagnose your condition, and prevent other medical problems.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

Having a pharmacologic with radiopharmacologic stress testing has risks. You may be exposed to some radiation. You may have an allergy to the dye used and have trouble breathing. You may have nausea (upset stomach) or vomiting (throwing up). Your blood pressure may increase or decrease and you may feel dizzy, lightheaded, and weak. You may feel your heart throbbing or have extra heartbeats, chest pains or a heart attack. Caregivers are there before, during, and after the test to help you. Call your caregiver if you are worried or have questions about the test, your medicine, or care.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Before your test:

• Informed consent: You have the right to understand your health condition in words that you know. You should be told what tests, treatments, or procedures may be done to treat your condition. Your doctor should also tell you about the risks and benefits of each treatment. You may be asked to sign a consent form that gives caregivers permission to do certain tests, treatments, or procedures. If you are unable to give your consent, someone who has permission can sign this form for you. A consent form is a legal piece of paper that tells exactly what will be done to you. Before giving your consent, make sure all your questions have been answered so that you understand what may happen.
  
  
• Vital signs: This includes taking your temperature, blood pressure, pulse (counting your heartbeat), and respirations (counting your breaths). To take your blood pressure, a cuff is put on your arm and tightened. The cuff is attached to a machine which gives your blood pressure reading. Caregivers may listen to your heart and lungs by using a stethoscope. Your vital signs are taken so caregivers can see how you are doing.
  
  
• IV: An IV is a tube placed in your vein for giving medicine or liquids. This tube is capped or connected to tubing and liquid.

During your test:

• You are asked to change your clothes. Electrodes (sticky patches) are placed on your chest. The electrodes are attached to wires that transmit the electrical activity of your heart to the electrocardiogram (ECG) monitor. A tracing of the heart while you are rest is recorded before the actual stress test. The radioactive dye is given through the IV tube.
  
  
• Pictures of the heart at rest are taken using a special camera. Medicine to place the heart under stress is given through the IV. ECG tracings, and your heart rate and rhythm are also checked. A second dose of the dye is injected, and more pictures of the heart are taken during and after the dye have been given. The images of your heart while resting, and while under stress are compared. Computerized tomography (CT) scans or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may also be done during this test.

After your test:

• Heart monitor: This is also called an ECG, electrocardiogram, or telemetry. Sticky pads are placed on your chest or different parts of your body. Each pad has a wire leading to a small portable box (telemetry unit), or to a TV-type screen. This lets caregivers see a tracing of the electrical activity of your heart. The heart monitor may help caregivers see problems with the way your heart is beating. Do not remove any wires or sticky pads without asking your caregiver first.
  
  

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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