Atlanta heart diagnostic center

Northside Cardiology P.C.
5670 Peachtree Dunwoody Road Suite 880 Atlanta, GA 30342
Office 404.256.2525 Fax 404.845.4720 www.AtlantaNorthsideCardio.com
Barry D. Silverman, M.D. Jack P. Chen, M.D. Michael A. Balk, M.D. Van Crisco, M.D. Narendra Singh, M.D. Evan B. Weisman, M.D. Nabeel Hafeez, M.D. Kim Champney, M.D. NUCLEAR STRESS IMAGING STUDIES

■ Nuclear imaging studies take approximately 3-4 hours. It is very important that if you are unable
to make this appointment, you call Northside Cardiology, P.C. at 404-256-2525 at least 48 hours
prior.
■ Your SCHEDULED ARRIVAL TIME is ___________________ for test preparation. Important:
you are expected to arrive 1 hour prior to your scheduled test time. If you are more 15 minutes late
from your arrival time, please understand that we may have to reschedule your test.
■ Your SCHEDULED TESTING TIME IS ___________________.
□ EXERCISE NUCLEAR STRESS TEST
1. Do not eat, drink (except water) or smoke 6 hours prior to test. Do drink plenty
of water before the test. No caffeinated or decaf beverages 12 hours prior to test.
2. Stop taking beta-blocker medications (see attached list) 48 hours prior to test.
3. Wear comfortable clothing/shoes to walk on treadmill. No metal on front of clothing.
□ ADENOSINE NUCLEAR STRESS TEST
1. Do not eat, drink(except water), or smoke 6 hours prior to test. Do drink plenty
of water before the test. No caffeinated or decaf beverages 12 hours prior to test.
2. Stop taking xanthene medication (theophylline containing) 24 hours prior to test.
3. Hold medicines containing caffeine (i.e. Excedrin).
□ DOBUTAMINE NUCLEAR STRESS TEST
1. Do not eat, drink, or smoke 4-6 hours prior to test. Do drink plenty of water before the test. No caffeinated or decaf beverages 12 hours prior to test. 2. Stop taking, beta-blocker medications (see attached list) 48 hours prior to test. Thallium and MIBI are radioisotopes that concentrate inside the heart muscle and relate to blood flow. It is injected when you reach your test-calculated heart rate while walking on the treadmill. These agents have no effect on the body’s systems and are eliminated rapidly. If you are unable to walk long enough for an adequate test, Dobutamine or Adenosine will be used. Individuals who have a history of moderate/severe asthma or COPD and are on breathing medications will be administered Dobutamine. These agents alter the heart’s blood flow in a way similar to exercise. YOUR RESULTS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE ON THE DAY OF YOUR TEST
Test results are mailed or faxed to your referring physician within 48 hours of interpretation by our
cardiologist. A follow-up appointment with the physician who ordered the test should be scheduled for 1
to 2 weeks.
Informed consent: All tests pose a small risk. Prior to testing, we will obtain informed consent which
outlines risks/benefits/alternatives to testing. This consent form can also be downloaded from our website
at . A supervising cardiologist is always present in the facility during
stress testing.

ANTI-ARRYTHMIC MEDICATIONS
BETA BLOCKERS

OCULAR (eye) PRODUCTS CONTAINING BETA BLOCKERS

COMBINATION PRODUCTS CONTAINING BETA BLOCKERS

Aydrochlorothiazide Metoprolol Hydrochlorothiazide CALCIUM CHANNEL BLOCKERS OR COMBINATION PRODUCTS

Source: http://www.atlantanorthsidecardio.com/downloads/Nuclear%20Stress%20Instructions.pdf