Adenosene Thallium?

[aniper]

Has anyone had this test b4? My dad will be having this done on Friday. They say it's a 4 hour procedure, and involves nuclear medicine. I know they are looking for blockage in his arteries. Why wouldn't they do a cardiac cath instead? (I've never seem anyone mention this test on this site b4). My dad is 78 and has aortia aneurysm (Just learned it is at 5.6?), and also aortic valve involved. Thank you for your help!
Anita

 

[Rich]

Anita,
I'm assuming this is a thallium stress test.
It is very common, both my wife and I have had them before having catherization.
They will put this material in an IV, run the test and then take pictures at different times.
It will help them determine if a catherization is neccessary or maybe not.
In my wife's case the pictures showed many, many extra arteries and proved she would probably never need by-pass surgery.
It is also much safer than a catherization.

Rich

 

[bvdr]

I've read that sometimes the only reason they do the catherization before heart valve surgery is to see if there are blocked arteries.

If the Thallium stress test is negative they may still have to do a cardiac cath. If it is positive (shows dimished blood supply to part of the heart) perhaps he won't need to also have a catherization too because they would most likely be planning to also do angioplasty or bypass surgery when they take care of his valve.

Just my opinion of course.