Conditions and Treatments

Heart Perfusion Test (MIBI scan) - Other Information

How is the test done?

Stress scan

This will take up to 3 hours including waiting time.

You will be required to exercise on the treadmill during which a small dose of radioactive tracer is injected through the vein on your hand.

If you cannot exercise, the test can still be done. The doctor will inject a special medication to stress your heart while you walk slowly on the treadmill or lie down on a couch.

After the stress test, you need to wait ½ hour to 2 hours before the test is done. The doctor will review the stress scan and decide whether you require a rest scan which could be done on the same day or on a separate day.

Rest scan on the same day

This will take up to 3 hours including waiting time.

The same day rest scan is reserved for patients who have a doctor appointment which is less than a week from the MIBI scan appointment. Patients who have the MIBI scan appointment in the afternoon will be required to have the rest scan done on another day.

The rest scan will start 3 hours after the injection during the stress test. You can have your meal before the scan. A small dose of radioactive tracer will be injected through the vein on your hand and the scan will be done about 1 hour after the injection. Some patients may be required to wait more than 1 hour to allow the tracer to completely perfuse (blood to flow through the artery to) the heart.

Rest scan on a separate day

This will take up to 3 hours including waiting time

You will come another day to have your rest scan done. There is no fasting or any diet restriction for this scan. No payment is required if you have already paid when you come for the stress scan. The procedure is similar to the rest scan on the same day.

Preparations before the test

On the day of the test, please wear comfortable clothing and footwear for walking on a treadmill machine.

For male patients, it may be necessary to shave your chest before the test. This is to allow the ECG electrodes to attach on your chest. You can choose to do this yourself or before coming for your test or you can request the nurse at the National Heart Centre Singapore (NHCS) to do it for you.

Instructions for the tests

Please stop the medications instructed by your doctor prior to the scan.

Please do not drink or consume the following on the day of your scheduled test:

Caffeinated drinks such as coffee and tea
Carbonated soft drinks
Food containing chocolate
Other drinks like milo, horlicks and ovaltine

Please wear (or bring with you) comfortable clothing and shoes for walking on the treadmill. Patient lockers are available for your use.

Payment

You can use cash, NETS or major credit cards to pay for your scan. Medisave cannot be used for this scan. For enquiries or change of appointment, please call Tel: +65 6704 8181