Cardiac-Specific PET Imaging

Heart disease is the number-one killer of men and women in the United States, making early detection critical for timely and proper cardiac treatment.

The Carondelet Heart Institute at St. Joseph Medical Center is among the first in the area employing cardiac-only positron emission tomography (PET) to get a clear view of the heart without invasive procedures. During a PET image, a patient is injected with a small amount of radioactive tracer. The blood stream carries the material to the heart where a special PET camera shows the material, creating a detailed picture of the heart and the heart’s blood flow. Healthy muscles show more of the material indicating good blood flow while less-healthy areas will show less absorption.

The latest type of PET imaging is the most accurate test available for assessing the impact of cardiovascular blockages in patients who may be at risk for heart attack. 

The non-invasive new PET image takes less than an hour. The amount of exposure to radiation is significantly less than earlier PET images and the images are consistently of high quality leading to a more accurate diagnosis in cardiac disease.

For more information on Cardiac-Specific PET imaging, contact the Carondelet Heart Insitute at 816-943-2787.