What are the risks associated with myocardial perfusion scans?
Myocardial perfusion scans, also known as nuclear cardiac stress tests, involve the use of a radioactive tracer to assess the function and health of the heart. These scans can be used to diagnose coronary artery disease, heart failure, and other conditions. Although they can be highly useful, there are potential risks associated with these scans, including exposure to radiation, allergic reactions to the radioactive tracer, and abnormal heart rhythms. In addition, there is a small risk of kidney damage and bone marrow suppression associated with the tracer.