Cardiac Perfusion Scan

Reasons you may not be able to have the test or why the results may not be helpful include:

• A recent, serious heart attack.
• Inflammation of the heart, such as myocarditis or sarcoidosis.
• Bruising of the heart muscle (cardiac contusion).
• Weakening of the heart muscle.
• Stiffening of the heart muscle (myocardial fibrosis).
• A severely narrowed heart valve.
• Implanted cardiac devices, such as a pacemaker.
• A condition that makes it difficult to exercise, such as lung disease, arthritis, or a neuromuscular problem.
• Some medicines, such as dipyridamole (Persantine) and pentoxifylline (Trental).
• Severe electrolyte imbalances (especially calcium, potassium, sodium, or magnesium).
• Pregnancy or breast-feeding (except in an emergency).

Test results may be difficult to interpret in scans done on women with large breasts.