What is a Cardiac PET-CT?

A Cardiac PET-CT scan is a test to check how well your heart muscles are working. It helps detect if any part of your heart has been damaged due to a heart attack. This scan also tells your doctor if the heart muscle is still alive or not. We use a safe, low-dose radioactive tracer called FDG for this scan. It gives us clear images of your heart and helps plan the right treatment.

How to Prepare for the Scan

• Fasting: Don’t eat anything for 6 hours before the scan. Only a few sips of plain water are allowed.
• For Diabetic Patients: Take your diabetes medicine up to 24 hours before the scan. We will check your blood sugar on the day of the test. If it's above 200 mg/dL, we’ll reschedule.
• No Heavy Exercise: Avoid gym, running, or any heavy physical activity for 24 hours before the scan.
• Pregnancy & Breastfeeding: Tell us if you’re pregnant. This scan is not usually done during pregnancy. Lactating mothers should store breast milk in advance. You can breastfeed safely after 24 hours.

What to Bring on the Day

• Doctor's note or scan prescription
• All old reports: 2D Echo, Angiography, Angioplasty, and any heart-related reports
• Blood sugar test (can be done here on the same day for accuracy)
• List of medicines, allergies, or any past treatments
• One companion is allowed
• Home-cooked food for after the scan

Scan Time and Process

• Total time needed: 4 to 6 hours
• After injection waiting:
  With MIBI: 1 hour
  For PET-CT: 2–3 hours
• Actual scan time:
  With MIBI: 15–20 minutes
  PET-CT: 15–20 minutes

Step-by-Step: What Happens During the Scan

1. Registration & Discussion: Meet our Patient Care Coordinator. We'll check your reports, understand your history, and answer your questions.
2. Preparation: Change into scan clothes, remove jewellery, a cannula will be placed in your vein. If needed, blood tests will be done through the cannula.
3. Radiotracer Injection & Rest: You’ll rest in a quiet area for up to an hour to help it absorb properly.
4. Scanning: You’ll lie on the scan table for about 15–20 minutes. Our team will monitor you throughout.
5. Post-Scan Review: A doctor checks the images. If needed, a delayed scan may be done. Once cleared, you can change and eat.

After the Scan

• Eat, drink, and take medicines as usual.
• Stay in our centre for 30 minutes after the scan for observation.
• Avoid close contact with children and pregnant women for the rest of the day.
• The tracer leaves your body in 10–12 hours. Drink lots of water to flush it out faster.