A cardiac PET (positron emission tomography) is a medical imaging technique that is used to assess the function of the heart and detect the areas of reduced blood flow or damage to the heart muscle.
A cardiac PET (positron emission tomography) is a medical imaging technique that is used to assess the function of the heart and detect the areas of reduced blood flow or damage to the heart muscle.
A cardiac or Heart PET scan is used for heart-related diseases such as diagnose coronary artery disease, evaluate the severity and extent of heart attack, and assess the effectiveness of the treatments such as angioplasty or bypass surgery. They also identify the areas of viable heart tissue that may benefit from revascularization procedures.
During the cardiac PET scan, a small amount of radioactive tracer is injected into the vein in the patient’s arm. The tracer is taken up by the heart muscles and emits positrons, which are detected by the PET scanner.
The PET scanner creates images of the heart that show the distribution of the tracer and indicate areas of reduced blood flow or damaged heart tissue.
Cardiac PET scans are generally considered safe, but like all medical procedures, they carry some risks. The amount of radiation exposure from a cardiac PET scan is low, but precautions may need to be taken for certain patients, such as pregnant women or those with kidney problems. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of the procedure with you before it is performed.
Why is a Cardiac PET Scan Performed?
Cardiac PET (positron emission tomography) scan is a highly specialized imaging technique that can be used to diagnose a wide range of heart conditions.
Here are some of the main uses of a Cardiac PET scan:
- Diagnosing Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): Coronary artery disease occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the heart, become narrowed or blocked, leading to reduced blood flow and increased risk of heart attack. A cardiac pet scan can help diagnose CAD by detecting the areas of reduced blood flow in the heart muscle. This information can help guide treatment decisions such as lifestyle modifications, or invasive procedures such as angioplasty or bypass surgery.
- Evaluating the Severity and Extent of Heart Attack: A heart attack can occur when the blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked, leading to damage or death of heart muscle. A cardiac PET scan can be used to assess the extent and severity of a heart attack by detecting areas of reduced blood flow or damaged heart tissue. This information can help guide treatment decisions such as medications or the revascularization process.
- Assessing the Effectiveness of Treatments: After a heart attack or other cardiac event, cardiac PET scans can be used to assess the effectiveness of treatments like angioplasty or bypass surgery. By comparing scans before and after treatment, doctors can determine if blood flow to the heart has improved and if the treatment was successful.
- Identifying Areas of Viable Heart Tissue: In some cases, areas of the heart muscle may be damaged but not yet irreversibly scarred. These areas, known as hibernating myocardium, may benefit from revascularization procedures like angioplasty or bypass surgery. A cardiac PET scan can identify areas of viable heart tissue, which can help guide treatment decisions and improve outcomes.
- Evaluating the Risk of Future Cardiac Events: Cardiac PET scans can be used to assess the risk of future cardiac events in patients with suspected or known heart disease. By detecting areas of reduced blood flow or damaged heart tissue, doctors can identify patients who may be at increased risk of a heart attack or other cardiac event. This information can help guide treatment decisions and improve outcomes.
Who Needs Cardiac PET Scan?
A cardiac PET (Positron Emission Tomography) is a medical imaging technique that is used to evaluate the functions of the heart.
It is typically recommended to patients who are at risk for having a history of heart disease or cardiac conditions such as:
- Individuals with symptoms of heart disease such as palpitation, chest pain, or shortness of breath (Dyspnea).
- Individuals who have had a heart attack.
- Individuals who have had any other cardiac event.
- Individuals with a history of heart disease or risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol.
- Individuals with coronary artery disease.
- Individual who have had heart failure.
- Individuals who are undergoing treatment for heart disease such as medications or surgery, to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment.
- Individuals who are being considered for cardiac procedures, such as heart bypass surgery or angioplasty.
Your doctor will determine if a cardiac PET scan is appropriate for your particular situation and medical history.
What is the procedure for Cardiac PET Scan?
The procedure of a Cardiac PET Scan typically involves the following steps:
Preparation: Before the scan, the patient may be asked to fast for several hours to ensure the accuracy of the result. They may also need to avoid caffeine or certain medications. The patient will be asked to wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing, and may be given a gown to wear during the scan.
Injection of Radiotracer: The patient will be given a small amount of radioactive tracer, which will be administrated through a vein in the arm. The tracer will be taken up by the heart muscle, distributed to the areas with the reduced flow of blood, and emit Positron, which is detected by a PET scanner.
Waiting Period: After the tracer injection, the patient will be asked to rest quietly for some time, usually around 45-60 minutes. This allows the tracer to circulate through the body and be taken up by the heart muscle.
PET scan: The patient will then be positioned on the PET scanner bed and asked to remain still while images of the heart are taken. The scan usually takes around 30-45 minutes to complete.
Image Analysis: After the scan, the images will be analyzed by a radiologist or cardiologist, who will look for areas of reduced blood flow or damaged heart tissue.
The patient should not experience any pain during the procedure, although they may feel a brief sensation when the tracer is injected. The amount of radiation exposure from a cardiac PET scan is low, and the risk of complications is generally considered to be low. However, some patients may experience side effects such as headache, dizziness, or nausea from the tracer injection.
Patients need to discuss any concerns or questions they may have about the procedure with their doctor before the scan.
What is the Cost of a Cardiac PET Scan?
The cost of a Cardiac PET scan is affected by numerous factors including the location of the diagnostic facility, the technology used, the reputation of the diagnostic facility in the market, insurance coverage as well as the facility of the medical panel. Generally, the cost of a Cardiac PET scan is INR 27,000.
In Delhi, various PET Scan Centres are offering PET scan facilities. Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Centre is one of the top PET CT scan centers with advanced imaging technology such as PET CT scans, offering Cardiac PET scans with 100% accuracy of reports at a 50% discount. Apart from this, we have tied up with various government and non-government organizations like ECHS, CGHS, DAK, LIC, Tata Power Ltd,
BJRM Hospital, NCDC, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry Of Culture, Food Corporation Of India, etc. You can avail the benefit of the medical panel price.
Best PET Scan Centre for Cardiac PET Scan
Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Centre is the best PET Scan Centre for Cardiac PET scans. We are highly equipped with advanced diagnostic and imaging technologies such as PET CT to diagnose heart disease, cancer disease, and neurological disease. We have a team of renowned radiologists, technicians, and support staff who are experienced and experts in their respective fields and strive to provide the best diagnostic services to the patients. To give support to patients visiting diagnostic centers to get their procedures done, we provide free ambulance service round off the clock to pick up and drop off the patients. To make the process time-saving, we offer online appointment booking/ calling our customer service as well as online payment with multiple payment options. If you are having any queries regarding the cardiac PET Scan, please call us, we are available 24x7 and 365 days.
