Myocardial Perfusion PET Stress Test
This exam is also known as Rubidium PET
Your doctor has requested a PET Myocardial Perfusion (MP) Stress Test, also called a Rubidium PET/CT. This procedure is to evaluate the blood flow (perfusion) through the coronary arteries to the heart muscle using a radioactive tracer. The completed exam consists of intravenous access, resting images, a stress test (performed by use of a medication-- no exercise), and stress imaging. Our team of cardiac imaging physicians, nurse practitioners, technologists, and ECG technologists is headed by Daniel Berman, MD, Chief of Cardiac Imaging and Nuclear Cardiology .
Before Arriving for Your Exam
You must fast 3 hours prior to your appointment time, except plain water.
Refrain from caffeine 24 hours prior to your scheduled appointment, including coffee, sodas, chocolate, decaffeinated products, Excedrin, etc.
Please refer to your physician before discontinuing any medication.
Please allow 2 hours for the entire exam.
As you will be asked to change into a hospital gown, please wear loose, comfortable clothing.
We want to make your waiting time as pleasant as possible. Consider bringing your favorite magazine, book or music player to help you pass the time.
Please leave your jewelry and valuables at home.
During Your Exam
The technologist will explain the procedure to you and answer any questions you may have.
You will receive several injections through a temporary IV.
You will be prepared for electrocardiogram tracings by ECG technologists, assessed and monitored by nurse practitioners and/or physicians, and imaged by a team of cardiac specialists.
Once cleared by the nurse practitioner and/or physician, the imaging and stress test will be performed while laying flat on the imaging table with your hands behind your head. Your time under the scanner will be approximately 30 - 45 minutes.
At the end of your scan, images will be reviewed and you will be released.
After Your Exam
There are no post-exam instructions.
Your study will be reviewed by an imaging physician specialist and the results will be sent to your physician. Your physician will discuss these results with you and explain what they mean in relation to your health.
To request a copy of your report, call (310) 423-8000 or go on-line to www.csmc.edu/imaging and click on "For Patients" and click on "Order Your Films or Reports Online" .
Parking at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Valet parking is available in front of the Imaging center from 7:30am-5:00pm.
For self parking, please enter parking lot P4, located at the corner of San Vicente Blvd. and 3rd Street. The entrance is on San Vicente Blvd.
If you are arriving after 5:00pm, please park in parking lot P1, located off of George Burns Rd. between Beverly Blvd. and Alden Dr. The entrance is off of George Burns Rd.
Partially validated parking at a cost of $4.00 is provided to our imaging patients for valet and self parking in the lots mentioned above.
Please Note: We do not validate for parking lots in the Medical Office Towers located at 8631 and 8635 W. 3rd St.
