Dayton, OH 45409
Phone: 937-223-4461
Fax: 937-449-7603
|
|
122 Wyoming St Dayton, OH 45409 Phone: 937-223-4461 Fax: 937-449-7603 |
|
|
Home Search Privacy Statement Mission Statement Vision Statement Core Values |
Upon arrival at the office you will be asked to fill out the appropriate insurance information for proper billing of your test. The nuclear medicine technologist will then escort you to the nuclear imaging area and confirm you have not had caffeine for the past 24 hours. He will then place an IV catheter in either a hand or arm vein. The technologist will inject a small amount of a radioactive isotope, Cardiolite, into the IV to assess the heart's blood flow at rest. There are no side effects from this drug, which gives you a small radiation dose less than that of an x-ray of your chest. The Cardiolite must circulate for 30-45 minutes prior to any imaging of the heart. During this time you will be instructed to drink 18-24 ounces of cold water which aids in the distribution of the drug throughout your body. There is a separate waiting room for patients undergoing the nuclear stress testing so you will have access to a water cooler, a variety of magazines and a television. After this waiting period has elapsed the technologist will position you on an imaging table for the resting scan of your heart. You will be lying down on your back with both arms resting in supports designed to help hold them above your head. The actual scan takes about 15 minutes, after which you will be prepared for the stress test. A nurse will place a series of 12 EKG patches on your chest and attach them to an EKG monitor so that we may monitor your heart's electrical activity. We will also take various blood pressure readings at regular intervals throughout the exam. The nurse will then connect tubing to your IV line so that we may give you a measured dose of Dobutamine. Dobutamine is a drug which causes the heart rate to increase very slowly to simulate peak exercise of your heart. The side effects from Dobutamine may include shortness of breath, chest tightness, changes in blood pressure, headache, and dizziness. You will receive a 2nd injection of Cardiolite at the desired heart rate. The side effects go away after the nurse gives you an additional medication to return your heart rate to your normal resting speed. At this point you will need to wait an additional 1 hour or more to allow the 2nd dose of Cardiolite to circulate. During this time you will need to eat a fatty snack, such as peanut butter, or a ham and cheese sandwich. A carbonated beverage may help improve the quality of your pictures, and should be consumed during this time also. We will then acquire your stress images, which will again take about 15 minutes to scan. At the completion of this image your test is finished and you are free to go. There are no lasting side effects from the testing and you may drive yourself home from the office. The whole procedure takes approximately 3 to 4 hours to complete and your results will be available for review about 3 to 4 days following the date of the test. Any questions may be directed to the nuclear medicine technologist at the office, who may be reached by calling (937) 223-4461 Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
|
Physicians and Mid-Level Providers
Thomas G. Thornton, MD, FACC |
[Home]
[Appointment Information]
[Medical Records]
[Payment & Insurance]
[Prescription Refills]
[Test Preparation]
[Referrals]
[Information for Providers]
[Member's Area]
[Specialties]
[Specialty Clinics]
[Employment]
[Links]
[Main Office] [Beavercreek] [Centerville] [Jamestown] [Springboro] [Vandalia]
[Privacy Statement] [Mission Statement] [Vision Statement] [Core Values]
[News] [About Us] [Contact Information]
