What is a Nuclear Stress Test?
This test measures the flow of blood through your heart as well as your heartbeat when your heart is stimulated by walking on a treadmill or a shot of a medication called adenosine. A radioactive dye is injected into your bloodstream and pictures are taken of your heart before and after you exercise. These pictures show doctors how the dye is moving through your heart both when it is at rest and when it is stimulated. this allows us to measure your heart's response to exercise and assists the doctor in determining the cause of chest pain.
Accreditation by ICANL
Northeastern Pennsylvania Cardiology Associates, LLP., located in Plains, PA was granted accreditation by the Intersocial Commission for the Accreditation of Nuclear Medicine Laboratories (ICANL). The laboratory is one of the first nuclear cardiology laboratories in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico to be so recognized for its commitment to high quality patient care and its provision of quality diagnostic testing.
The heart is evaluated at rest and during exercise using a small amount of radioisotope during the noninvasive procedure. A complex imaging technique, nuclear cardiology testing relies on the experience and training of both the physician and the technologist. Their interpretive and technical abilities determine the diagnostic accuracy of the examination. The ICANL has developed an accreditation program that evaluates the quality of these and other critical elements of nuclear cardiology laboratory.
The ICANL was established with the support of the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology, the Society of Nuclear Medicine, the Society of Nuclear Medicine Technologist Section, the American College of Cardiology, the American College of Nuclear Physicians and the Academy of Molecular Imaging (formerly known as the Institute for Clinical PET). The ICANL provides a peer review mechanism to encourage and recognize the provision of quality nuclear cardiology and nuclear medicine diagnostic evaluations by a process of voluntary accreditation. A non-profit organization, the ICANL is dedicated to ensuring high quality patient care and to promoting health care.
Participation in the accreditation process is voluntary. Accreditation status signifies that the facility has been reviewed by an independent agency that recognizes the laboratory's commitment to quality testing for the diagnosis of heart disease.
The lab is directed by Dr. John H. Ellis, Executive Director; Dr. Nirode Das, Medical Director and Radiation Safety Officer; Drs. Thomas Turissini and David Dalessandro, and Michele Bucan serves as Certified Nuclear Medicine Technologist. The staff at Northeastern Pennsylvania Cardiology Associates are happy to answer any questions concerning any of the services we provide. Stress test appointments are available from 6:30 a.m. through 9:45 a.m., Monday to Friday. The lab is located at The Cross Valley Centre, 667 North River St., Plains (across from MCDonald's). Appointments can be made by calling 823-1111.