Cardiac Viability PET/CT
18F-FDG≈ 30 min including preparation
In simple words
When an artery narrows, heart muscle can go into a kind of hibernation — alive, but too starved of blood to contract. On an echo it looks the same as dead scar tissue, yet the two demand opposite decisions. Hibernating muscle still consumes sugar, so it lights up on PET; scar does not. Muscle that lights up will usually recover its strength once blood flow is restored — which makes surgery worth its risk.
Questions this scan answers
- After a heart attack, is this weakened muscle dead scar or living-but-starved tissue?
- Will bypass surgery or angioplasty actually improve my heart's pumping?
The Prismaa difference
Cardiac imaging is unforgiving of motion. A short digital acquisition means fewer breathing artefacts and a cleaner, more decisive study.
Usually recommended for
- Low ejection fraction after myocardial infarction
- Patients being considered for CABG or angioplasty in weak hearts
- Deciding between revascularisation and medical management
How to prepare
- A specific glucose-and-insulin preparation is used for this study — our technologist will call you the day before with exact instructions.
- Bring your echo report, ejection fraction, angiography films and ECGs.
- Diabetic patients need individually adjusted preparation; please tell us when booking.
Book this scan, or ask us whether it is the right one
We are happy to discuss the request with your treating doctor before you commit to an appointment.