PET or Positron Emission Tomography refers to a type of non invasive examination that is involved with creating a new clear image of the heart the lung or any part of the human anatomy. Find out how it is carried out.
PET or Positron Emission Tomography is done by injecting radionuclides – a type of radioactive tracer into the bloodstream. After the stressors combines with blood the muscles take it up and organs such as the heart admit it. This scan shows the flowing of blood and helps in understanding whether or not the heart is healthy. During a PET Valley Imaging Partners scan it is possible to diagnose dead cells or narrowed arteries from a prior heart attack. These are the steps of the test.
What are the Steps?
•First, there is injecting of a tracer into the blood. This is an organic compound which can be found in the human body and is combined with a very small amount of radioactive substance. Water, ammonia or glucose is typically used.
•Once the tracer goes into the body, Gamma energy rays are generated.
•A detector which encircles the body picks the beams up and transmits the same to a PC. The signals are transformed into clear images by the system.
•A full image is created with the help of the pictures of thin sized heart slices put together. Each and every heart slice is captured from various angles and directions – to produce a 3D holistic image.
The picture can be used by a valley imaging cardiac practitioner to determine proper cardiac functioning. The tracer is nicely taken up in case the muscles have strength. However the tracer is not taken up at all if the heart has dead cells or is not viable anymore. The level of absorption of treasure can be revealed on a pity scan as brightness of different grades or as varied colors.
PET scans are being used widely at present for detecting dead tissue, injured tissue, low blood flow and coronary artery disease. Based on the scan results a cardiac practitioner can recommend Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery, Percutaneous Coronary Intervention or a similar cardiac process which can restore flow of blood to the heart.
Author Bio: The author uses his spare time to write on medical imaging and scans, for the knowledge and benefit of readers.
