Advanced Cardiac Imaging Services

You may take medicine to slow your heart rate before the procedure. Your scan may require contrast (dye). If so, you’ll get an IV catheter to administer the dye. You may feel a cooling sensation. Contrast doesn’t have side effects, and your body will naturally eliminate it after the test.

The CT scan machine is shaped like a large ring. You will lie on a padded exam table that slowly moves into the machine for the scan. You need to stay very still during this time. A cardiac CT scan is painless and typically takes 30 minutes, including preparation time.

Your scan may require contrast (dye). If so, you’ll get an IV catheter to administer the dye. You may feel a cooling sensation. Contrast doesn’t have side effects, and your body will naturally eliminate it after the test.

Your care team may put sticky electrode patches on your chest to monitor your heart. The MRI machine is shaped like a large tunnel or tube. You will lie on a padded exam table that slowly moves into the machine for the scan. You need to stay very still during this time. MRI machines are noisy, so we will give you earplugs or headphones to protect your hearing.

If you feel nervous about tight spaces, let your doctor know ahead of time. They may give you medicine to help you feel more relaxed.

MRIs are painless. A cardiac MRI usually takes 90 minutes or less.

This scan requires a radioactive dye called a tracer. You’ll get an IV catheter with the dye and may need to rest for 20 to 30 minutes while the tracer travels through your bloodstream. The tracer doesn’t have side effects, and your body will naturally eliminate it after the test.

The PET scanner is shaped like a large ring. You will lie on a padded exam table that slowly moves into the machine for the scan. You need to stay very still during this time. The scan may take 30 to 60 minutes.