This scan uses the radioactive isotope Tc-99m pyrophosphate (usually just called pyrophosphate) to evaluate whether an unusual type of abnormality of heart muscle function ("cardiomyopathy") is present. An intravenous injection of pyrophosphate is made at rest, followed about an hour later by a set of images taken while you lie down under a camera. The images take about 15 mintues. These images are recorded on a computer for analysis.

The entire procedure, from injection to end of imaging, takes about two hours.