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What Type Of Technology Is Used In A PET Scan?

A cardiac PET scan is one of the most effective forms of medical imaging because it not only provides images of your heart, but it also shows the specifics of how your heart is functioning. Patients receive PET scans because this advanced technology can help test for certain diseases, see how well different treatments are working, and assist in preparing for an upcoming surgery. 

 

What Technology Is Used In A PET Scan?

A cardiac PET scan is able to effectively show how your heart is functioning by using a radioactive tracer. This tracer is essentially glucose with a small radioactive component attached and may be injected, swallowed, or inhaled, depending on the area of focus in the body. The tracer’s radioactive technology is not harmful to you, but you should let your doctor know if you are diabetic, breastfeeding, or may be pregnant.

 

The PET scanner itself is a large ring-shaped machine that takes images of your body and picks up the radioactive waves of the tracer. In these images, different colors and degrees of brightness will show where in your body the tracer goes, indicating areas that may need to be examined closely for disease.

 

Why Is It So Effective?

With this technology, doctors can use the images to check blood flow to your heart muscles, decide treatment for clogged arteries, and analyze the effects of a heart attack. Cardiac PET scans are so effective because the technology can show problems at the cellular level, which gives your doctor the best view of complex diseases, such as heart disease. 

 

Cardiac PET scans are an effective option because the results are typically ready for your doctor to analyze within two business days, giving plenty of time for a course of action. To learn more about PET scans, contact Cardiac Imaging, Inc.