Cardiolite Exercise Stress Test

What is a Cardiolite Exercise Test?

A Cardiolite exercise test is a valuable test that is used to help diagnose heart disease. It is a special test which consists of an exercise portion, followed by two sets of medical imaging scans, one set done following the exercise portion and one set done the following day.

What is Cardiolite?

Cardiolite is an imaging agent that, when given at the end of your treadmill exercise, is absorbed into the heart muscle. Cardiolite is so weak that it is ordered daily. For this reason, if you cannot keep your appointment you are asked to call your doctor or the Diagnostic Center at 542-1824, at least 24 hours ahead.

What Can I Expect?

When you arrive at the hospital, please go to the Admitting Department.

After a consent form has been signed, you will be taken to the Same Day Surgery Area to have an IV started. You will then be taken into the Stress Testing area. The Stress Test Technician will perform an EKG while you are resting. When the physician arrives you will exercise while the EKG is being performed.

After you have exercised on the treadmill the Nuclear Medicine Technologist will inject the Cardiolite through the IV. Throughout the exercise test you will be closely monitored by EKG readings and blood pressure checks. At the completion of the exercise portion of this test, you will be brought to the Diagnostic Center for the first scan part of this test. After a 30-60 minute wait the first scan will be done and the IV will be removed. You have been scheduled to return the following day for a second scan.

On the morning of the second scan, you may have liquids only for breakfast, but NO coffee, tea, or cola drinks.

On the second day, you will have an injection of Cardiolite, wait for 60-90 minutes then have the second scan which will take about 20 minutes. You have now completed the Cardiolite Exercise test.

You may resume your medications as your doctor has ordered and you may eat. It will take 2 to 3 working days for your physician to receive the test results.

Patient Instructions

Wear comfortable loose fitting pants or slacks. You will need shoes that tie and have good traction. Sneakers are fine. You will be asked to disrobe to your waist and put a gown on.

DO NOT EAT OR DRINK ANY FOODS OR FLUIDS AFTER MIDNIGHT BEFORE YOUR TEST

Exception: You are allowed a small amount of water for your medication if your doctor has advised you to take a medication.

If you have any questions regarding this procedure, please call your physician.