Cardiac PET
Cardiac PET
Cardiac PET (kahr-dee-ak pet, from the Greek kardia meaning "heart" and the English PET an acronym for Positron Emission Tomography) is a medical imaging procedure that uses a device called a PET scanner to visualize the functioning of the heart.
Procedure
During a Cardiac PET scan, a small amount of radioactive tracer is injected into the patient's bloodstream. The PET scanner then detects the radiation emitted by the tracer to create detailed images of the heart's structure and function. This allows doctors to diagnose and monitor various heart conditions, such as coronary artery disease, heart failure, and cardiomyopathy.
Uses
Cardiac PET scans are used to:
- Evaluate blood flow to the heart
- Detect areas of decreased blood flow and damaged heart muscle
- Determine the effectiveness of cardiac surgery or angioplasty
- Assess the risk of heart attack in patients with chest pain
Risks
Like all medical procedures, Cardiac PET scans carry some risks, including allergic reactions to the tracer, radiation exposure, and false-positive results. However, the benefits of this procedure often outweigh the risks, especially for patients with serious heart conditions.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Cardiac PET
- Wikipedia's article - Cardiac PET
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