Doctors often recommend a myocardial perfusion scan, also called a heart perfusion scan, to diagnose heart conditions like coronary artery disease and cardiac arrest. The imaging test helps examine circulation in the heart and the organ’s ability to pump blood. While generally safe, the scan has a few side effects and risks. Here are a few critical details about a myocardial perfusion test, such as its purpose, procedure, results, potential risks, and cost.

Purpose of a myocardial perfusion scan
One may have to undergo this test for the following reasons:

Assess heart muscle damage after a heart attack.
Diagnose coronary artery disease.
Learn about the blood flow to different heart areas after stent placement, angioplasty, or coronary bypass surgery.
Determine the cause of acute or chronic chest pain.

Doctors may order a myocardial perfusion scan for other reasons, too, such as to check for scar tissue in the heart resulting from reasons unrelated to coronary artery disease.

A look at the procedure
The procedure can be divided into several steps for better understanding:

Step 1: Healthcare professionals insert electrodes or tiny patches on one’s legs, arms, and chest. These patches have wires hooked to a machine to track heart rate.

Step 2: The doctor asks the patient to exercise on a stationary bicycle or treadmill. Those unfit to exercise are administered a solution that widens or dilates their coronary arteries, simulating exercise.

Step 3: Once the heart reaches full pumping capacity during the workout, the expert inserts a tracer or radioactive material into the patient’s bloodstream. The tracer mixes with the blood as it flows across the body.

Step 4: The patient lies flat on a table while the doctor uses a gamma camera to capture the pictures of the heart. This special camera picks up the tracer and detects whether blood is flowing through all heart regions correctly.

Step 5: After the test, one rests for a few hours so that their heart pumps at a normal level again. Now, another scan is done with the gamma camera, and the results are compared.

The procedure can take around four hours. While underway, the expert also monitors the patient’s blood pressure with a cuff on their arm. Patients should speak to a doctor to learn how to prepare for the test and clarify their doubts.

Interpreting the results
Broadly, perfusion is measured on a scale of zero to four, depending on the blood uptake via the coronary arteries. When a patient has an artery blockage, it leads to an abnormal perfusion or a reduced uptake. It means that the heart muscle fails to get the required blood supply. One can interpret the myocardial perfusion results in the following manner:

Zero: Normal uptake
One: Mildly less uptake
Two: Moderately reduced uptake
Three: Severe reduction in uptake
Four: Uptake is absent

Understanding the side effects
While this test does not have significant risks, one might experience mild discomfort. Individuals should inform the doctor if they experience these side effects:

Chest pain or disruption in heart rhythm
Allergic reactions to the radiation from tracers
Soreness around the site where treatment was administered into the bloodstream

Cost of a myocardial perfusion scan
The cost can vary significantly depending on the healthcare provider’s reputation, location, and other factors. It generally ranges between $801 and $2958.