This exam is a procedure that checks the function and the ejection fraction of your heart. This calculation allows your doctor to see how efficiently your heart is functioning.

• There are no restrictions for this procedure and no preparation is necessary.
• There are certain chemotherapy treatments that require this exam to be done prior to treatment and during your treatment. The procedure may be repeated every 8-12 weeks depending on the recommendation of your physician.
• The procedure may also be ordered to assess the ejection fraction of a patient who is not on any treatment or therapy.
• The procedure requires 2 intravenous injections. The patient receives one injection and then 30 minutes later gets a second injection. The first injection prepares the red blood cells for the second injection which is a small amount of a radioactive material. This radioactive injection makes it possible for the imaging. The injection yields no side effects and will dissipate from the patient’s system within a day or so with no reaction to the patient.
• The patient will lie on a table for 20 minutes for the imaging. The results are often completed by the time the procedure is complete so that the patient can bring them to their doctor or nurse for immediate availability.