What Is It?
- Sarcoidosis is a disease that can affect multiple organs in your body, including your heart. It is caused by your immune system going into overdrive and attacking your own body resulting in inflammation that can cause damage to your organs.
- Symptoms of sarcoidosis in your heart include an abnormal heart rhythm (palpitations), fainting (syncope), dizziness and chest pain.
- Sarcoidosis Cardiac PET/CT can help to detect areas of active inflammation in your heart, which can help guide therapy. You will get an injection of medicine (radiotracer) that will specifically go to your heart and highlight areas of active inflammation.
How Do I Prepare?
- MEDICATIONS:
- Take all medication as your normally would unless told otherwise.
- FOOD/DRINK:
- This exam requires a STRICT 48-hour protein only diet. We will provide you detailed instructions on what types of food are allowed. This is very important to make sure we can accurately diagnose disease in your heart.
- Fast for 12 hours prior to your exam.
- This exam requires a STRICT 48-hour protein only diet. We will provide you detailed instructions on what types of food are allowed. This is very important to make sure we can accurately diagnose disease in your heart.
How Is It Done?
- Our nurse will place an intravenous (IV) line in your arm and inject medicine (radiotracer) into your arm.
- You will wait in the waiting area while the medication is absorbed by your heart (60-90 minutes)
- Our technologist will place you on the PET table and we will take multiple pictures (40 minutes)
- TOTAL EXAM DURATION: 2 hours
What Happens Next?
- Results from your exam will be available to you within a few business days.
- The exam will show if you have any areas of active inflammation in your heart.
- Your healthcare provider will contact you if they need to make any changes to your medications or if you need further testing. Types of additional testing may include Cardiac MRI
