Nuclear Medicine has got a tremendous role in Cardiac Imaging. In fact it is complementary to Coronary Angiography in the assessment of haemodynamically significant lesions which is helpful in the therapeutic decision making. The department of Nuclear Medicine is equipped with advanced state-of-art Siemens Symbia Dual Head SPECT Gamma Camera as well as GE-Discovery 530C (Latest solid state detector technology). Nuclear Medicine studies use small doses of radioactive material to assess myocardial blood flow, evaluate the pumping function of the heart as well as visualization of location of a heart attack.
At Fortis Escorts, Nuclear Medicine Department offers an extensive range of clinical facilities in Radioisotope Imaging and Medicine. Equipped with up-to-date tools and machines, we focus on providing top-notch clinical service while complying with the best practices in radiation safety and patient protection. The department acquires the latest third generation PET CT.
A hepatobiliary (HIDA) scan is an imaging method used to detect problems in the liver, gallbladder and bile ducts. HIDA Scan is also known as Hepatobiliaryscintigraphies, Cholescintigraphy. In this scan, a substance or tracer is implanted into a blood vein. This tracer is guided by the bile excreted by the liver. Bile is a liquid that assists the digestive system in the dissolution of fats present in the foods. Bile is present in the gallbladder and is discharged when you eat anything. A special gamma camera inspects the movement of the tracer between your liver and gallbladder all the way to the intestine.
SPECT test stands for Single-Photon Emission Computerized Tomography test that helps the doctor in analysing the functioning of few of the internal organs. SPECT test is a type of nuclear imaging scan, which includes the use of a radioactive chemical and a special camera that creates 3-D images. While tests like X-rays can display what the bones inside human body look like, a SPECT scan shows images that display how well your organs are functioning. For Example, a SPECT can check the flow of blood to your heart or the areas of your brain which are more or less active.
Cardiac Tests (95% of cases)
Rest-Muga Radionuclide Ventriculography
A Rest-Muga Radionuclide Ventriculography, commonly known as Multigated Acquisition (MUGA) test is a scan performed to analyse the functioning of the left and right ventricles of your heart. MUGA scanning is also known as radionuclide angiography, equilibrium radionuclide angiocardiography, gated blood scanning, radionuclide ventriculography or SYMA scanning. The MUGA test is executed by tagging a person's red blood pool with a radioactive substance, Tc-99m, and investigating radioactivity throughout the anterior chest as the activated blood passes through the heart chambers and veins.
Non Cardiac Tests (5% of cases)
Renal Dynamic Study
A Renal Dynamic Scan needs the use of a radioactive substance to investigate the kidneys and examine their function. A Renal Dynamic Test is also called renal imaging, renogram or renal scintigraphy. Under this scan, a radioactive chemical known as radioisotope is injected into the veins. This tracer discharges gamma rays. A gamma scanner or camera detects gamma rays activity in your body. The gamma camera checks the kidney area. It traces the radioisotope chemical and examines how the kidneys control it. The gamma camera is also equipped with a computer that creates pictures.
Renal DMSA study
DMSA stands for dimercaptosuccinic acid. A Renal DMSA test uses a radioactive substance to construct pictures of your kidneys. These images can help doctors examine how well your kidneys are functioning. DMSA tracer travels through the body connected to a radioactive substance. It composes in the kidneys. Images of the kidneys are then captured using a special scanner which can track the radioactive tracer.
Lung Perfusion Imaging
A Lung Perfusion Imaging is a type of nuclear imaging test, commonly used to detect a pulmonary embolism. It is a blood clot that interrupts normal blood flow in your lung.During this imaging, a radioactive chemical is implanted into a vein of your arm. It flows through your blood into the lungs. Images from this test can depict areas of your lungs that aren't receiving an adequate amount of blood.
Dr. Atul Verma
Dr. Verma is a physicianin the Nuclear Medicine Department at Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, New Delhi. He has an experience of 24 years andhas operated more than 65000 Nuclear Cardiology cases which accumulate one of the highest numbers of procedures in South East Asia. He is one of the most experienced nuclear physicians conducting most of the protocols using the most advanced cardiac-committed solid state locator gamma camera, GE-Discovery 530C. In addition, Dr Verma has got a great amount of experience in conducting Non cardiac nuclear medicine imaging.