Monday May 21 , 2012
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PET Scan - Heart

PET Heart Scan - Overview & Techniques

Archer Radiology offers a PET scan of the heart.

PET scanning is the most rapidly growing technique for myocardial perfusion imaging, which is generally recommended when a patient has a family history or symptoms indicating the likelihood of coronary artery disease. A PET scan can help detect the disease before symptoms begin to present and give the physician information about any abnormalities in the flow of blood to the heart.

PET imaging has a higher rate of accuracy than other imaging techniques in detecting coronary artery disease and damaged tissue. In particular, PET can better correct attenuation (an unclear signal) that occurs as a result of soft tissue (for example, if the breast is large). For such cases a combined PET/CT scan may further improve the specificity of the image and its diagnostic accuracy. PET/CT scanning may also lead to more accurate diagnoses involving smaller hearts or vessels.

PET Heart Scan - Alternative Names & Explanations

Myocardial PET scan, cardiac nuclear scan, cardiac PET

PET Heart Scan - Benefits

  • Detecting whether a patient has obstructive coronary artery disease. Coronary artery disease is caused by the accumulation of plaques in the walls of the arteries (atherosclerosis) that supply blood to the myocardium (the muscle of the heart). These plaques create blockages (stenoses) in the coronary arteries and impair blood flow to the myocardium. Impaired blood flow to the heart muscle restricts its ability to function and pump blood to the body. Myocardial perfusion imaging is the most accurate test available for assessing the impact of these plaques on the blood flow to the heart in patients who may be at risk for a heart attack, including those with abnormal or inconclusive stress electrocardiographs.
  • Determining the extent and impact of a coronary stenosis. The extent of abnormal perfusion to the myocardium will guide catheterization procedures and decision to perform revascularization—a procedure that restores blood flow to the heart by opening the blocked artery with a balloon or by surgically performing bypass grafting.
  • Evaluating prognosis and guiding health care decisions. The risk of developing heart disease increases as patients age, and in special groups of patients at risk––for example, in patients with diabetes. The extent of the myocardium that has reduced perfusion can help physicians and patients make effective decisions.
  • Monitoring medical treatment for patients with coronary artery disease.

Heart PET Scan - Images

PET determination of viability of heart tissue for revascularization   PET scan of healthy heart

Heart PET Scan - Common Indications & Positive Findings

  • Reduced blood flow to the heart
  • Effects of myocardial infarction
  • Pulmonary metastases
  • Perfusion viability mismatch

Heart PET Scan - References, Links, & Additional Information

Approximately 16 million people in the United States have diabetes, which is a major risk factor for coronary artery disease. Diabetics with coronary artery disease have higher death rates following acute heart attacks or revascularization surgery than non-diabetics with heart disease. Myocardial perfusion imaging in diabetic patients is essential to predict risk. Identifying diabetics with coronary artery disease is an important step in managing both diseases.

  • F-FDG PET scan as follow-up tool for sarcoidosis with symptomatic cardiac conduction disturbances requiring a pacemaker. S Gyorik, L Ceriani, A Menafoglio, A gallino, R Wyttenbach. Thorax 2007; 62:560
  • Obtaining cardiac images from positron emission tomography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging: physical principles. R Boellaard. Heart and Metabolism 2007; 34
  • Cardiac PET imaging in mice with simultaneous cardiac and respiratory gating. Yang Y, Rendig S, Siegel S, Newport DF, Cherry SR. Phys Med Biol. 2005;50:2979-89

Contact us today to schedule your PET heart scan.

  • If you are looking for professional radiology services at your imaging site/center, call us at 1-800-626-8315 or use our contact form and contact us for a consultation.

  • If you live in Los Angeles Mid-Wilshire, Beverly Hills, or Glendale and need to schedule a radiology examination such as a MRI, CT Scan, Ultrasound, X ray, or PET scan, contact us to schedule an appointment.

  • If you are in search of other things, we're surprisingly resourceful.  Call us at 1-800-626-8315 or contact us via our contact form.
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  • PET scan, PET heart scan, heart PET scan
  • PET heart scan informational page. Los Angeles radiology. Schedule a heart PET scan in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, or Glendale.
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