Myocardial Viability PET Scan

Your doctor has ordered a myocardial viability PET scan to measure myocardial glucose metabolism using FDG. Our team of subspecialty-trained doctors, nurses and technologists is led by Daniel S. Berman, MD, chief of Cardiac Imaging and Nuclear Cardiology.

Before Your Exam

Non-diabetics: Do not eat or drink for six hours before your appointment. Water is OK.

Non-insulin-dependent diabetics: If you are on oral diabetes medications, please do not eat or drink after midnight. Water is OK. Also, if applicable:

  • You may take metformin (Glucophage®), pioglitazone (Actos®) and rosiglitazone (Avandia®) as scheduled.
  • Reduce sulfonylureas (e.g., glimepiride, glipizide, glyburide) to a half dose on the morning of your study.
  • Do not take sitagliptin (Januvia®) or saxagliptin (Onglyza®) on the morning of your appointment.

Insulin-dependent diabetics: Please follow your normal dietary schedule. Also, as applicable (consult with your doctor regarding adjusting the insulin use recommendations below):

  • Reduce PM doses of insulin glargine (Lantus®) and Levemir® by half the evening before the study.
  • Reduce AM dose of intermediate or long-acting insulin (i.e., NPH, Levemir®, insulin combos, such as 70/30, 75/25, etc.) or Lantus® by half the morning of the study.
  • Take half basal dose of insulin pump on day of study.
  • Note: You should not take the following medications until right before you eat a normal meal: nateglinide (Starlix®), repaglinide (Prandin®), pramlintide (Symlin®), exenatide (Byetta®) or liraglutide (Victoza®).

Please leave your jewelry and valuables at home.

During Your Exam

  • Your approximate visit time will be three to four hours.
  • Upon arrival, the technologist will explain your procedure and answer any questions you may have.
  • In order to achieve optimal images:
    • You will be given glutol to drink
    • You will also be given insulin
    • You will receive an intravenous injection (in your vein) of a tracer dose of radioactive material
  • The level of radioactivity is extremely low and has no side effects.
  • During your scan, you will be required to lie flat on your back without moving.
  • Using a special nuclear medicine scanner, pictures of your body will be obtained. It simply detects and records the distribution of the radioactive material in your body.

For more information, please call 310-423-8000.

The S. Mark Taper Foundation Imaging Center provides a full range of advanced imaging, both radiology and cardiology, as well as interventional radiology and interventional tumor (oncology) treatments to the greater Los Angeles area, including Beverly Hills, Encino, Mid-Cities, Santa Monica, Sherman Oaks, Silver Lake, Studio City, Toluca Lake, and West Hollywood.