Cardiac Tests
Persantine Nuclear Testing
In patients who cannot exercise due to vascular or musculo-skeletal problems
(e.g. back pain, arthritis, etc.) an injection of intravenous persantine
may be used to "stress" the heart. Thallium or sestamibi may
then be administered and the heart scanned with a special camera to identify
areas of reduced coronary artery blood flow. Persantine may not be given
to patients with asthma or who are on asthma medications. Side effects
of persantine include headaches, flushing, chest pain and shortness of
breath. These effects are readily reversed with the antidote, aminophylline.
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