A left ventricular function study evaluates blood flow in the heart and the pumping function of the heart at rest. This exam is used to accurately determine the ejection fraction from the left ventricle.
2 hours
First, the technologist injects a product that binds to the red blood cells and prepares the blood to receive the radioactive tracer. This injection is followed by a waiting period of approximately 30 minutes.
The patient is then taken to a room where the first part of the exam will take place. The radioactive tracer is then injected.
This set of images takes approximately 40 minutes. Patients lie down on a stretcher, and electrodes are placed on the chest to monitor the heart rate. The camera comes close to the torso to acquire the images.
Once this part is finished, patients are taken to another camera that also moves around them. The technologist remains in the room throughout the exam.