How to arrange, or prepare for, a scan with InHealth

Myocardial Perfusion Scintigraphy (MPS)

InHealth Centres offering MPS:

London
refer a patient refer a patient

Myocardial Perfusion Scintigraphy (Heart Perfusion Studies) allows doctors to see how well blood is reaching the heart muscle through the coronary arteries. 

In a first test, you have an injection (into a vein in your arm or hand) of a natural substance called adenosine that dilates the arteries of the heart. During the infusion you pedal gently on a bicycle to counteract some of the side effects of the adenosine.  Approximately 45 minutes later, we scan your heart. The scan takes just over 15 minutes and during this time, the gamma camera moves around your chest and you need to lie flat and still with both arms above your head.

Most patients require a second scan which is done at rest. This involves an injection of a radioactive tracer that lodges temporarily in the heart muscle. The second part of the test starts about an hour and a half after the first. You are then allowed to eat and approximately an hour later a second scan (similar to the first) of your heart is taken.

 

Before your appointment

  • Please do not consume caffeine (e.g. tea, coffee, hot chocolate, cola) for 12 hours before your appointment as this may react with the adenosine. 
  • Eat only a light breakfast (no tea or coffee) if your scan is in the morning or a light lunch for evening scans. 
  • Let us know in advance if you weigh more than 90kg or if you have asthma.Wear clothing suitable for gentle exercise (trousers are ideal for women).
  • Bring a list of your medication if appropriate. It is not normally necessary to alter your medication but contact us if you are taking Dipyridamole (Persantin/Agasantin).
  • Do not bring children under the age of 18 with you.
  • Female patients - you should not have a myocardial perfusion scan if you are pregnant. Please tell us as soon as possible if you think this might be the case. If you require a female chaperone, please inform us before your appointment. 

We may need to perform the test in a slightly different way if you have asthma or chronic bronchitis. Please also let us know in advance if you have either of these conditions.

 

During your appointment

You can expect to be at Quantum InHealth between four to five hours. You should arrive 15 minutes before your scan appointment time.  If you realise that you will be late or unable to attend the unit, please contact Quantum InHealth on 020 7935 9889.

After you have been greeted at reception, a specialist cardiac nurse or radiographer will explain the procedure. Please feel free to ask any questions regarding the MPS scan at this point.  A specialist cardiac nurse will then take a short medical history from you to assist the doctor who reads the scan.

The specialist cardiac nurse then injects a small amount of adenosine into a vein in your arm. You will then be asked to pedal gently on a recumbent cycle. This will take approximately 10-15 minutes. We will then scan your heart using a gamma camera. You will be lying flat on your back with your arms raised above your head. The scan takes approximately 15 minutes during which the gamma camera moves around your chest.

The second part of the test takes place about an hour and a half later. You will be given an injection of a radioactive tracer whilst you rest. You will then be able to eat and then approximately an hour later a second scan of your heart is taken.

You will then be free to leave the clinic.

 

After your appointment

You can eat and drink normally. It is advisable to drink plenty of fluids and regularly empty your bladder. This will help expel the small amount of radiation received during the test. You can go anywhere you wish, but you should avoid prolonged close contact with children and pregnant women for 24 hours. Normal social interaction is fine.

If you are due to fly within three days of your scan, please inform us and we can give you a letter confirming your recent appointment at Quantum InHealth as there are radiation detectors in some airports now as part of new security measures.

The results of your scan will usually be sent to your referrer within 48 hours.  The staff at Quantum InHealth cannot issue the results to you.

 

Frequently Asked Questions about MPS

How much radiation do I receive from the scan?

Radiation is used as sparingly as possible and the benefits of the scan far outweigh the risk to your health. If you have any concerns, please ask to discuss this in more detail.

Are there any side effects?

The tracer injection has no immediate side effects, and it will not make you sleepy or prevent you from driving. It does not normally cause an allergic reaction even in people who are prone to allergies. Adenosine, which is the drug used to stress the heart, can cause short-lived side effects such as facial flushing and chest discomfort. We shall explain this in more detail at the time.
 

Myocardial Perfusion Scintigraphy (Heart Perfusion Studies) allows doctors to see how well blood is reaching the heart muscle through the coronary arteries. 

In a first test, you have an injection (into a vein in your arm or hand) of a natural substance called adenosine that dilates the arteries of the heart. During the infusion you pedal gently on a bicycle to counteract some of the side effects of the adenosine.  Approximately 45 minutes later, we scan your heart. The scan takes just over 15 minutes and during this time, the gamma camera moves around your chest and you need to lie flat and still with both arms above your head.

Most patients require a second scan which is done at rest. This involves an injection of a radioactive tracer that lodges temporarily in the heart muscle. The second part of the test starts about an hour and a half after the first. You are then allowed to eat and approximately an hour later a second scan (similar to the first) of your heart is taken.

 

Before your appointment

  • Please do not consume caffeine (e.g. tea, coffee, hot chocolate, cola) for 12 hours before your appointment as this may react with the adenosine. 
  • Eat only a light breakfast (no tea or coffee) if your scan is in the morning or a light lunch for evening scans. 
  • Let us know in advance if you weigh more than 90kg or if you have asthma.Wear clothing suitable for gentle exercise (trousers are ideal for women).
  • Bring a list of your medication if appropriate. It is not normally necessary to alter your medication but contact us if you are taking Dipyridamole (Persantin/Agasantin).
  • Do not bring children under the age of 18 with you.
  • Female patients - you should not have a myocardial perfusion scan if you are pregnant. Please tell us as soon as possible if you think this might be the case. If you require a female chaperone, please inform us before your appointment. 

We may need to perform the test in a slightly different way if you have asthma or chronic bronchitis. Please also let us know in advance if you have either of these conditions.

 

During your appointment

You can expect to be at Quantum InHealth between four to five hours. You should arrive 15 minutes before your scan appointment time.  If you realise that you will be late or unable to attend the unit, please contact Quantum InHealth on 020 7935 9889.

After you have been greeted at reception, a specialist cardiac nurse or radiographer will explain the procedure. Please feel free to ask any questions regarding the MPS scan at this point.  A specialist cardiac nurse will then take a short medical history from you to assist the doctor who reads the scan.

The specialist cardiac nurse then injects a small amount of adenosine into a vein in your arm. You will then be asked to pedal gently on a recumbent cycle. This will take approximately 10-15 minutes. We will then scan your heart using a gamma camera. You will be lying flat on your back with your arms raised above your head. The scan takes approximately 15 minutes during which the gamma camera moves around your chest.

The second part of the test takes place about an hour and a half later. You will be given an injection of a radioactive tracer whilst you rest. You will then be able to eat and then approximately an hour later a second scan of your heart is taken.

You will then be free to leave the clinic.

 

After your appointment

You can eat and drink normally. It is advisable to drink plenty of fluids and regularly empty your bladder. This will help expel the small amount of radiation received during the test. You can go anywhere you wish, but you should avoid prolonged close contact with children and pregnant women for 24 hours. Normal social interaction is fine.

If you are due to fly within three days of your scan, please inform us and we can give you a letter confirming your recent appointment at Quantum InHealth as there are radiation detectors in some airports now as part of new security measures.

The results of your scan will usually be sent to your referrer within 48 hours.  The staff at Quantum InHealth cannot issue the results to you.

 

Frequently Asked Questions about MPS

How much radiation do I receive from the scan?

Radiation is used as sparingly as possible and the benefits of the scan far outweigh the risk to your health. If you have any concerns, please ask to discuss this in more detail.

Are there any side effects?

The tracer injection has no immediate side effects, and it will not make you sleepy or prevent you from driving. It does not normally cause an allergic reaction even in people who are prone to allergies. Adenosine, which is the drug used to stress the heart, can cause short-lived side effects such as facial flushing and chest discomfort. We shall explain this in more detail at the time.