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Thallium stress test - Results

Alternative Names

Sestamibi stress test; MIBI stress test; Myocardial perfusion scintigraphy

Normal Values:

A normal result means blood flow through the coronary arteries is normal.

Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different medical centers. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.

What abnormal results mean:

Abnormal results means there is reduced blood flow to the heart. If this occurs at peak exercise and not at rest, the most likely cause is a significant blockage of a coronary artery.

Reduced blood flow seen both at rest and with activity is a sign of scarring on the heart muscle. This is usually due to a previous heart attack.

Nuclear scan

Anterior heart arteries

Reviewed last on: 7/10/2008
Benjamin Taragin M.D. Department of Radiology, Montefiore Medical Center Bronx, N.Y. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Udelson JE, Dilsizian V, Bonow RO. Nuclear Cardiology. In: Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Zipes DP, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine, 8th ed. St. Louis, Mo: WB Saunders; 2007: chap. 16.

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