Dearborn County Hospital is Greater Cincinnati’s First and Only Hospital to Offer the PET/CT Cardiac Stress Test

DCH is the first and only hospital in the Greater Cincinnati area to offer Positron Emission Tomography/Computerized Axial Tomography (PET/CT) Myocardial Perfusion Imaging with rubidium, a new, advanced form of cardiac stress test. Only hospitals with a PET scanner are capable of performing this type of cardiac examination.

“Cardiac stress tests that utilize PET/CT provide physicians with highly sensitive images that are far superior to those commonly available through the use of traditional nuclear medicine (SPECT) modalities. PET/CT is currently the most advanced cardiac imaging technique for heart muscle,” explained Roger Howard, DCH Director of Clinical Services and Facilities.

A PET/CT cardiac stress test does not require walking on a treadmill and can be performed in one visit of approximately 45 minutes. Patients no longer need to come for testing on two consecutive days or wait for hours between scans. PET/CT cardiac uses a rubidium isotope as its tracing agent. Because rubidium has a very short half-life of 75 seconds, examinations of the heart at rest and those while the heart is being exerted can be performed back to back. Also, the much shorter half-life of rubidium compared to traditional tracing agents means the patient is exposed to less radiation.

“While PET/CT cardiac provides an overall superior examination, it is extremely valuable for obese individuals and female patients with large breasts,” elaborated Mr. Howard. “Rubidium is more easily detected through abundant body mass than traditional tracing agents, providing a more accurate, distortion free image. In addition, the CT portion of PET/CT also helps the image compensate for differences in body mass among patients.”

PET/CT cardiac is also extremely valuable in diagnosing balanced three vessel disease where three of the four arteries of the heart each have a significant blockage of approximately the same amount. Using a traditional cardiac nuclear medicine scan, these arteries may appear as normal even though three have significant blockages.

The procedure also provides superior images in patients with diabetes. Persons with diabetes are more prone to have numerous, small auxiliary vessels compensating for and/or circumventing larger, partially obstructed arteries.

“Because of the accuracy and abundance of information derived from the PET/CT cardiac stress test, we anticipate having patients referred from throughout the Tri-State area. In fact, PET/CT cardiac is so good, in some cases it may rule out the need for a follow-up cardiac catheterization. Also, because the trace element, rubidium, is generated on site, it is possible to schedule and perform an exam on the same day. This is especially important for patients seeking cardiac clearance for an unexpected surgery or procedure,” Mr. Howard stated. “It’s also important to note that while a physician’s order is required for this test, the ordering physician does not need to be a member of the DCH Medical Staff.”

For additional information or to schedule a PET/CT cardiac stress test, please call 812-537-8104 or 800-676-5572, ext. 8104.