A pulmonary ventilation/perfusion scan is actually two tests.
They may be done separately or together. During the perfusion
scan, a health care provider injects radioactive albumin into
your vein. You are placed on a movable table that is under the
arm of a scanner. The machine scans your lungs as blood flows
through them to find the location of the radioactive particles.
During the ventilation scan, you breathe in radioactive gas
through a mask while you are sitting or lying on a table under
the scanner arm. How to prepare for the test You do not need to
stop eating (fast), eat a special diet, or take any medications
before the test. A chest x-ray is usually done before or after a
ventilation and perfusion scan. You will sign a consent form and
wear a hospital gown or comfortable clothing that does not have
metal fasteners. How the test will feel The table may feel hard
or cold. You may feel a sharp prick while the material is
injected into the vein for the perfusion part of the scan. The
mask used during th