When the first signs of heart disease appear, you should always consult a specialist. Most likely, to clarify the cause of the problem, a procedure such as myocardial scintigraphy will be prescribed. This method allows you to examine the blood flow, assess the state of the myocardium and the degree of its blood supply.
When is scintigraphy prescribed?
Heart disease is the most common cause of death today. Unfortunately, too rapid a rhythm of life, frequent non-observance of a normal mode of a dream and a delivery lead to irreparable infringements in work of cardiovascular system. Prevent the development of serious diseases can, from time to time undergoing examinations and doing a scintigraphy of the myocardium.
This method of investigation makes it possible to determine the zone of myocardial ischemia. In the pictures obtained during the procedure, scarry zones that appear in people who survived a heart attack and the zone of insufficient blood supply to the myocardium are clearly visible.
Perfusion scintigraphy of the myocardium can be carried out with the load and in a state of complete rest. A procedure is assigned in a number of the following cases:
- Scintigraphy is often used during the diagnosis of angina pectoris .
- The procedure helps to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment of the cardiovascular system.
- Before starting treatment, scintigraphy allows you to assess all possible risks of complications.
Preparing for perfusion scintigraphy and research methods
A special study does not require. It is advisable before the procedure to avoid overeating and drinking caffeinated beverages. In order for the patient to feel comfortable, it is recommended to wear comfortable clothes for examination. To cancel or restrict the use of drugs in most cases, there is no need.
To study at rest, a radioactive technetium is added to the patient's body in combination with a drug that is well distributed throughout the myocardium. Myocardial scintigraphy with exercise is carried out some time after the first stage of the study. In this case, all the radiation is fixed by a special gamma camera and output to the screens.
The procedure of scintigraphy is completely harmless. Although during the survey and used radioactive substances, their negative impact on the body is minimal. To obtain more accurate results of the study, perfusion scintigraphy of the myocardium is recommended to be combined with computed tomography.