What is myocardial perfusion imaging?

Also known as: Rest-stress myocardial perfusion scan, myocardial perfusion scan, MPI test.

Myocardial perfusion imaging, also called a nuclear cardiac stress test, helps determine the adequacy of blood flow to the heart. A radiopharmaceutical, a radioactive material, is injected through a vein and is taken up by the heart. The heart can then be imaged with a Gamma Camera. The camera is able to detect emissions from the radioactive material taken up by the heart muscle. Imaging is performed at rest and after exercise. Comparison of the stress and rest images helps detect inadequate blood flow to the heart to determine if there is ischemia or scarring.


Reviewed by: Rachel M Pevsner Crum, DO

This page was last updated on: 1/29/2019 3:21:13 PM

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