Persantine Stress Test

A Cardiolite Persantine test is a valuable tool that is used to diagnose heart disease. A Persantine test is used for persons who are unable to walk on a treadmill for a sufficient amount of time to have a valid exercise test. The medication Persantine exercises the heart as if you were walking.

What is Cardiolite?

Cardiolite is an imaging agent that, when used in conjunction with the Persantine, is absorbed into the heart muscle. Cardiolite is so weak that it is ordered daily. For this reason, if you cannot keep your appointment you are asked to call your doctor or the Diagnostic Center at 542-1824, at least 24 hours ahead.

What Can I Expect?

When you arrive at the hospital, please go to the Admitting Department. After a consent form is signed, you will first be taken to the Same Day Surgery Area to have 2 IV's started. You will then be taken to the Stress Testing Area. You will be lying down on a table for 20-30 minutes. EKG leads will be placed on your chest. An EKG and a blood pressure reading will be performed each minute during the test. The doctor will inject the Persantine through the IV, over a four-minute period. Three minutes later, the Cardiolite will be injected, after several more minutes of monitoring, you will get up and sit on the couch in Xray for about a 30 minute wait. After your wait, you will return to the Nuclear Medicine table for your pictures. This scan will take about 20 minutes and then you may leave. You have been scheduled to return the following day for the second scan.

On the morning of the second scan, you may have liquids only for breakfast, but NO coffee, tea or cola drinks.

The following day you will return for the second scan. An injection of Cardiolite will be done in the Diagnostic area, followed by a waiting period of 60-90 minutes, and then the second scan will be done. This scan will take about 20 minutes. When the scan is completed you have now finished the Cardiolite Persantine test and may leave.

You may resume your medications as your doctor has ordered and you may eat. It will take 2 to 3 working days for your physician to receive the test results.

Patient Instructions

Wear comfortable loose fitting pants or slacks. You will need shoes that tie and have good traction. Sneakers are fine. You will be asked to disrobe to your waist and put a gown on.

DO NOT EAT OR DRINK ANY FOODS OR FLUIDS AFTER MIDNIGHT BEFORE YOUR TEST

Exception: You are allowed a small amount of water for your medication if your doctor has advised you to take a medication.

If you have any questions regarding this procedure, please call your physician.