For Patients · PET/CT · Cardiac
Cardiac PET/CT
Seeing how your heart is working.
A cardiac PET/CT looks at the heart at a functional level — how well blood is reaching the heart muscle, and whether that muscle is still healthy and viable. It gives your cardiologist detailed information that can guide important treatment decisions.
Overview
Function and viability, in one exam.
A cardiac PET/CT can be used for two main purposes. A perfusion study shows how well blood flows to the heart muscle, at rest and under stress, which helps detect coronary artery disease. A viability study helps tell healthy, recoverable heart muscle apart from scar tissue — important when deciding whether a procedure to restore blood flow is worthwhile. It is also used to investigate conditions such as cardiac sarcoidosis.
Who it is for
When a cardiac PET/CT is ordered.
Your cardiologist may recommend a cardiac PET/CT to:
Checking for coronary artery disease by measuring perfusion at rest and under stress.
Distinguishing living, recoverable heart muscle from scar before a revascularisation decision.
Evaluating conditions such as cardiac sarcoidosis.
Adding detail when an earlier cardiac test was inconclusive.
Am I a candidate
Is this scan right for me?
A cardiac PET/CT gives your cardiologist a precise, functional picture of the heart. It is ordered for specific clinical questions, and your physician decides when it is the right test.
Most scans need a requisition from your physician or nurse practitioner. Speak to them about a referral — and if it helps, bring the form with you.
01
Your cardiologist needs to assess blood flow to the heart muscle.
02
A decision about restoring blood flow depends on whether muscle is still viable.
03
A condition such as cardiac sarcoidosis is being investigated.
04
An earlier cardiac test did not give a clear enough answer.
How to prepare
Before your appointment.
Cardiac PET/CT needs careful preparation, and the exact instructions depend on the type of study. Our team gives you a full set when you book. In general:
Avoid all caffeine — coffee, tea, chocolate, and decaf — for 24 hours before a perfusion study, as it interferes with the results.
You may be asked to fast for a few hours before the scan. Viability studies also involve careful blood-sugar preparation.
Some heart medications may be paused on the morning of the scan. Never stop a medication without instruction — our team tells you exactly what to do.
Wear comfortable clothing and allow extra time; cardiac studies take longer than a standard scan.
What to expect
A calm, monitored visit.
A cardiac PET/CT is done in stages and takes longer than most scans — often up to a few hours in total, including preparation.
A technologist confirms your preparation and places an IV line.
The tracer is given, and images are taken. A perfusion study images the heart at rest and under stress.
You are supported and monitored by our team for the whole visit.
Plan for a longer appointment than a standard PET scan.
Results
When you get your results.
Your images are reviewed by our nuclear medicine and cardiac imaging specialists.
A signed report is delivered securely to your referring physician; for urgent cases we can share verbal findings the same day.
Your cardiologist discusses the findings and the next step in your care.
Aftercare
After your scan.
A cardiac PET/CT is a diagnostic scan, not a treatment, so there is very little to do afterwards. The small amount of tracer clears from your body naturally.
Drink plenty of water for the rest of the day to help clear the tracer.
Unless your physician has said otherwise, you can return to your usual activities and medications.
As a courtesy, keep a little extra distance from pregnant people and infants for the rest of the day. Your team confirms if any specific precaution applies.
Cost
What it costs.
$999
Cardiac PET/CT
Prices are published up front, in Canadian dollars, with no hidden fees. A 50% deposit is taken at the time of booking and the balance is due on the day. Credit and debit are accepted, and instant financing is available through PayBright.
FAQ
Cardiac PET/CT, answered.
Is a cardiac PET/CT painful?
No. Aside from a small IV injection, the scan is painless. You lie still while the images are taken.
Why must I avoid caffeine?
Caffeine affects blood flow to the heart and can distort a perfusion study. Avoiding it — including decaf and chocolate — for 24 hours beforehand keeps the results accurate.
How long does it take?
Longer than a standard scan. Cardiac studies are done in stages, so plan for a longer appointment, sometimes up to a few hours including preparation.
Do I need a referral?
Yes. A cardiac PET/CT is arranged through your physician. Our team confirms what is needed when you book.
Is the radiation dose safe?
The tracer uses a small, carefully calculated amount of radioactivity, comparable to other nuclear-medicine scans. Your team weighs this against the benefit.
Can everyone have this scan?
Most people can, but it may not be suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or with certain recent conditions. Our team reviews your history beforehand.
Why Initio
Everything under one roof.
Your cardiac PET/CT is acquired and read under one roof, with the tracer produced in our in-house radiopharmacy and reported directly to your cardiologist — so decisions about your care are not held up by hand-offs between facilities.
Your physician’s referral is all you need to begin. Our booking team handles preparation and scheduling.
Prefer to talk first? Call +1 (604) 678-9274, email info@initiomedical.ca, or send us a message.
Looking at other PET/CT options? Back to PET/CT overview.