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.

To request a copy of your report, 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.