Cardiac Perfusion Scan

Reasons you may not be able to have the test or why the results may not be helpful include:

• A recent, serious Reference heart attack Opens New Window.
• Inflammation of the heart, such as Reference myocarditis Opens New Window or Reference sarcoidosis Opens New Window.
• Bruising of the heart muscle (cardiac contusion).
• Weakening of the heart muscle.
• Stiffening of the heart muscle (myocardial fibrosis).
• A severely narrowed heart valve.
• Implanted cardiac devices, such as a Reference pacemaker Opens New Window.
• A condition that makes it difficult to exercise, such as lung disease, Reference arthritis Opens New Window, or a neuromuscular problem.
• Some medicines, such as dipyridamole (Persantine) and pentoxifylline (Trental).
• Severe Reference electrolyte imbalances Opens New Window (especially calcium, potassium, sodium, or magnesium).
• Pregnancy or breast-feeding (except in an emergency).

Test results may be difficult to interpret in scans done on women with large breasts.

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