A Nuclear Heart Scan is a diagnostic imaging technique used to evaluate the heart's performance in a non-invasive test that uses small amounts of radioactive materials, called radioisotopes, to visualize the blood flow and blood flow speed within the heart. This information is crucial in diagnosing various heart conditions such as heart rhythm disorders, coronary artery disease, and heart failure.

The Equipment Used in Nuclear Heart Scan

The Nuclear Heart Scan involves the use of dedicated radiopharmacy production facilities, which manufacture and dispense the required radioisotopes in a regulated setting. These radioisotopes are attached to a tracer called Technetium (Tc-99m), which is highly absorbed in the blood flow. The production process involves mixing the radioisotope Tc-99m with a ligand called Pyrophosphate (PYP).

Once the required radioisotopes are produced and labeled, they are transported to the nuclear hospital department where they are loaded into the gamma camera for injection into the patients, this is typically done at bedside.

The Equipment required for a Nuclear Heart Scan are:

1. A gamma camera: A gamma camera is a critical piece of equipment that produces three dimensional digital images of the distribution of radioactive material absorbed within the human body. The Gamma Camera works by detecting ionizing radiation produced when the radioisotopes collide with body tissues.
   
   
2. A four head camera: This camera captures images from four directions simultaneously, usually from the front of the patient.
   
   
3. An ECG (Electrocardiogram) machine: The ECG machine measures and represents the difference in electric voltage of electrical signals in the heart, which is recorded during the scan.
   
   
4. Oxygen 15 CMR scanner: اسکن هسته ای قلب These high-tech equipment provide images of the heart’s performance and are used to assess the cardiac output and heart muscle function.
   
   
5. A quality control and quality assurance laboratory: The nuclear cardiologist conducts validation testing on the tracers until verified accurate product prior to sending them out to Patients.
   
   

How it Works

Here's a step by step overview of the Nuclear Heart Scan process:

1. Readiness: Before the scan the patient eats a meal high in sugar 30 minutes prior and waits 2-3 hours prior for the best results, and then makes their way to the nuclear medicine department for injection.
   
   
2. Injection of Radioisotopes: A medical professional injects a small dose of radioactive tracer into the patient. The heart begins absorbing the tracers that are selectively absorbed by different heart regions like in pyrophosphateMDP used in combination with radioisotopes.
   
   
3. Image Acquisition: Once the radioisotopes start being absorbed by the heart, the patient is positioned in front of the scanner.
   
   
4. Image Interpretation: Once the image is collected the details of the image are reviewed in real-time, processed in advance of the attending doctor.
   
   

Benefits of a Nuclear Heart Scan

A Nuclear Heart Scan provides valuable diagnostic information on the functioning of the heart and can reveal various heart conditions. This information is crucial in making informed decisions regarding treatment procedures.

In addition, Nuclear Heart Scan allows for varied diagnostic images of multiple conditions that could not be detected by other types of imaging diagnostic techniques, such as ECG and echocardiogram.

The images generated by the Nuclear Heart Scan can be used to guide multiple medical interventions such as stenting.