A Persantine stress test is a medical procedure used to detect any blockages in the heart’s major arteries that may indicate coronary artery disease and other cardiac problems or complications. Medical Imaging Nuclear Medicine Exams & Procedures Persantine Myocardial Perfusion scan. This scan evaluates the blood flow to the heart at both rest and stress, as well as helps determine the overall function of the heart. In a Persantine stress nuclear test, an intravenous line will be established and Persantine will be infused. You may feel chest pain, dizziness, palpitation, nausea or headache with this infusion but usually the sensation is transient. An injection of Cardiolyte is then given and you will be asked to lie in a nuclear scanner. Persantine Persantine, known generically as dipyridamole, is considered an indirect vasodilator because it causes an increase in adenosine. This then binds to the adenosine receptors and causes vasodilation. Nuclear stress test is an imaging method that uses radioactive material to show how well blood flows into the heart muscle, both at rest and during activity. How the Test is Performed This test is done at a medical center or health care provider's office. Persantine Cardiolite Test is performed in the KMH diagnostic facilities in Ontario: Mississauga, Burlington, Hamilton, Kitchener, Markham, Scarborough, North York. How is a persantine thallium stress test performed? When you arrive at the Nuclear (NU-klee-ar) Medicine department, you may need to change into comfortable clothing. A caregiver puts an IV (intravenous line) into a vein, usually in your hand or arm. However, patients who cannot perform an exercise stress test are given Persantine, a drug that stresses the heart in the same manner as exercise. MIBI The substance distributes in the heart tissue in a manner proportional to blood flow within the tissue. A Persantine stress test with Myocardial Perfusion Imaging (MPI) or Cardiolite is a pharmacological (drug) stress test that can be done for those individuals unable to walk on a treadmill. The test will start in X-ray 2 hours before the actual treadmill part of the stress test where an EMT or RN will insert an IV in your hand; this is where the Persantine and Thallium will be injected. The Thallium consists of a very small amount of radioactive dye that shows any blockages when X-rays are taken later.