MYOCARDIAL SCINTIGRAPHY EXERCISE OR PERSANTINE

Myocardial scintigraphy is a medical imaging technique that uses radioactive tracers to assess the perfusion of the heart muscle.

Preparation: Before the scan, the patient receives an injection or must ingest a small amount of a specific radioactive tracer. This tracer is chosen according to the organ or function that the doctor wishes to evaluate.

Image capture: After the tracer is administered, the patient is placed under a device called a gamma camera or gamma scanner. This device detects the radiation emitted by the radioactive tracer inside the body and produces images based on the distribution of the tracer in organs and tissues.

Image interpretation: The resulting scintigraphic images show the distribution of the tracer in the targeted organs or tissues. Doctors analyze these images to assess organ function and structure, detect abnormalities or diseases, and assess response to treatment.

Scintigraphy is used in many areas of medicine, including cardiology, neurology, oncology, nuclear medicine, and clinical research. It can help in the diagnosis of various conditions, such as heart disease, cancers, thyroid disorders, bone diseases, neurological disorders, and many more.

It is important to note that the radiation doses used in the scan are generally considered safe and are administered under the supervision of qualified medical professionals.

In the case of myocardial stress scintigraphy, the acquisition of the images is preceded by the practice of effort on a bicycle. In the event that the patient cannot pedal, a pharmacological agent, persantin, is used, which dilates the vessels and "mimics" the consequences of an effort.