Cardiolite Stress Test - Adenosine
Description: Why is this test ordered?
This test is done to evaluate blood flow to the heart, both at rest and with exercise if your ability to walk on a treadmill is limited. It is useful in detecting an inadequate blood supply to the heart muscle. It might be ordered if you have been experiencing symptoms such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, fatigue and/or palpitations.
How long will this test take?
Plan to be with us for approximately 3 hours.
Prior to the test: What do I need to do?
Do not eat, drink or smoke for at least three hours before your test. It is OK to drink water. Take all of your medications as usual unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Bring a current list of your medications with you. There are some medications that should be avoided prior to this test. They include:
Medications containing caffeine should be avoided 4-6 hours prior to the test:
| Anacin | Excedrine | Synalgos-DC |
| Cafergot (all forms) | Fiorinal | Wigraine (all forms) |
| Darvon Compound | No Doz |
Medications containing Theopylline should be avoided 36-48 hours prior to the test:
| Aerolate | Slo-Phylin Gyrogapas | Theodur Sprinkle |
| Bronkodyl | Sustaire | Theophyline SR |
| Constant-T | Theo-24 | Theospan Jr. Duracap |
| Elixophyline SR | Theobid Duracap | Theospan-SR |
| Quibron-T/SR | Theoclear L.A. | Theotair |
| Respid | Theochron | Theovent L.A. |
| Slo-bid Gyrocaps | Theodur | Uniphyl |
Remember to check with your physician before you hold any of your medications!
* If you have diabetes, try to have a light meal or snack three hours before your test, as exercise tends to lower blood sugar. Check first with your doctor if you take insulin or other medications for diabetes. If you have a blood glucose meter, it is useful to check your blood sugar before coming for the test.
Day of the Test: What can I expect
When you arrive in Nuclear Cardiology, a technologist will give you an injection of an isotope called Cardiolite. You will then wait in the waiting room approximately 45 minutes until it is time for your first set of pictures. A Nuclear Cardiology staff member will escort you from the waiting room to the Nuclear Cardiology lab for your resting pictures. Following these pictures a Cardiology Technician will bring you into the stress test room. Here they will take a brief history, including what medications you may be presently taking. You will then be hooked up to an electrocardiogram and blood pressure machine. An intravenous (IV) line will be started in order to have an access for the infusion of the Adenosine. As the appropriate dose of Adenosine is being administered you will be asked to do a brief period of exercise, possibly a slow walk or some light arm exercises. During this time you will also receive another dose of Cardiolite in your IV. Once the Adenosine is completely infused you will stop exercising and rest for several minutes. At this point it will be necessary for you to eat or drink something with fat in it. We can provide you with 8 oz. of milk, or you may go to the coffee shop for something else to eat. The milk or food will help move any of the Cardiolite out of the gallbladder, and improve the pictures. Approximately 20 minutes later you will have your second set of pictures. These pictures will reflect you heart's function during exercise. After this second set of pictures the test will be complete.
Results of the Test
The test will be interpreted by a cardiologist, who will then send the results to your referring physician. Results will not be available to you the day of the test.
Directions and Special Instructions: What Else Do I Need To Know?
These services are offered at: The Danbury Hospital Medical Arts Center, Danbury Hospital Cardiology Department and Southbury Cardiology. For more information, please contact: 203-739-4999.
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