Myocardial Viability PET Scan

Your doctor has ordered a myocardial viability PET scan to measure myocardial glucose metabolism using FDG.

Who can get a PET scan?

• PET is considered to be a safe exam with no known side effects.
• PET scans are not recommended for women who may be pregnant, but can be evaluated on a case‑by-case basis.
• Extremely overweight patients might have difficulties accessing the scanner.
• If you have any questions, please call us before your appointment. 

Non‑diabetics: Do not eat or drink for six hours before your appointment. Water is OK.

Non‑insulin-dependent diabetics: If you are on oral diabetes medications, please do not eat or drink after midnight. Water is OK. Also, if applicable:

• You may take metformin (Glucophage®), pioglitazone (Actos®) and rosiglitazone (Avandia®) as scheduled.
• Reduce sulfonylureas (e.g., glimepiride, glipizide, glyburide) to a half dose on the morning of your study.
• Do not take sitagliptin (Januvia®) or saxagliptin (Onglyza®) on the morning of your appointment.

Insulin‑dependent diabetics: Please follow your normal dietary schedule. Also, as applicable (consult with your doctor regarding adjusting the insulin use recommendations below):

• Reduce PM doses of insulin glargine (Lantus®) and Levemir® by half the evening before the study.
• Reduce AM dose of intermediate or long‑acting insulin (i.e., NPH, Levemir®, insulin combos, such as 70/30, 75/25, etc.) or Lantus® by half the morning of the study.
• Take half basal dose of insulin pump on day of study.
• Note: You should not take the following medications until right before you eat a normal meal: nateglinide (Starlix®), repaglinide (Prandin®), pramlintide (Symlin®), exenatide (Byetta®) or liraglutide (Victoza®).

Please leave your jewelry and valuables at home.

• Your approximate visit time will be three to four hours.
• Upon arrival, the technologist will explain your procedure and answer any questions you may have.
• In order to achieve optimal images:
  • You will be given glutol to drink
  • You will also be given insulin
  • You will receive an intravenous injection (in your vein) of a tracer dose of radioactive material
• The level of radioactivity is extremely low and has no side effects.
• During your scan, you will be required to lie flat on your back without moving.
• Using a special nuclear medicine scanner, pictures of your body will be obtained. It simply detects and records the distribution of the radioactive material in your body.