What to expect during my procedure?
When you attend your appointment at Apex Radiology you will be asked to answer a few safety questions, remove any jewellery, watches etc.
A nurse will explain and prepare you for the stress test, which includes introducing an intravenous cannula (a small tube for taking blood samples and administering medicines) and electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring during the treadmill exercise. A doctor will then speak to you before you start the exercise process. If exercise presents problems for you the doctor may suggest either trying gently exercising on the treadmill or an alternative stress method using a pharmaceutical.
For the test to give useful results it is important to stress the heart sufficiently, so the exercise will increase in intensity for as long as tolerable. Near the end of the exercise, the doctor will inject the MIBI through the intravenous cannula.
After 20 to 60 minutes resting, the technologist will position you in the gamma camera and begin imaging. The gamma camera is a large square radiation detector which rotates around the chest (SPECT). There are no unusual sensations or discomfort, and the scan takes 15 minutes.
The images are usually combined with a low dose CT scan done at the same time on the same scanner. This SPECT/CT improves the accuracy of the information, and adds a few minutes to the procedure time.
After the first scan, the technologist will inject more MIBI, and ask you to wait, resting from 30 to 60 minutes before repeating the scan to show the heart perfusion at rest.
Please allow up to four hours for the complete procedure
Risks and side effects
Nuclear medicine examinations are considered very safe with almost no reported adverse reactions attributable to the radiopharmaceuticals used in these examinations.
Nuclear Medicine studies require very small doses of gamma radiation and are only performed where the benefits of the examination are deemed to outweigh any potential risks. At Apex Radiology you can be assured that using the latest technology and with staff trained in radiation reduction techniques, radiation doses are kept as low as reasonably possible.
If you are worried or concerned about having a Stress Test you should discuss this with your referring doctor or medical specialist before coming for your examination.
If you are a diabetic on insulin treatment you should advise the nurse on arrival.
If you think you may be pregnant, please inform our Nuclear Medicine team before your examination commences.
Who will perform and report my examination
AtApex Radiology your stress test procedure will be carried out by a Nuclear Medicine Technologist who has a degree in Medical Radiation Science and is accredited by the ANZSNM.
Your images will be reviewed along with your relevant medical history, and any other imaging, and be reported by our Nuclear Medicine credentialed radiologist or Nuclear Medicine physician (a medical doctor specialising in the interpretation of Nuclear Medicine studies).