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Diabetic And Have Heart Problems. Should I Go For Nuclear Perfusion Or Angiogram?

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Posted on Wed, 26 Dec 2012
Question: I'm diabetic and currently in hospital with heart problems. I have a choice to make between nuclear perfusion and angiogram and am getting basically two diffferent stories. Does a creatinine level of 2.95 put me at substantial risk of permanent as opposed to temporary dialysis
doctor
Answered by Dr. Anantharamakrishnan (3 hours later)
Hi friend,
Welcome to Health Care Magic

The risk of worsening renal function from the contrast used during angiogram is real and high.
Even otherwise renal function may worsen with time...

Nuclear perfusion shows the physiology (function). A negative scan practically negates the chance of ischemia and angio may not be necessary. If positive, you will still need angio – practically, you end up doing both! - but worth it in view of safety.!

Angio is the gold standard to see the anatomy.
(CT scan is non-invasive and is done at times.)
However angio will be necessary – if intervention is needed / if the other test shows ischemia.

Go for nuclear perfusion as a first step. Angio may be delayed or avoided.


Take care
Wishing speedy recovery
God bless
Good luck
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Anantharamakrishnan

Cardiologist

Practicing since :1966

Answered : 4505 Questions

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Diabetic And Have Heart Problems. Should I Go For Nuclear Perfusion Or Angiogram?

Hi friend,
Welcome to Health Care Magic

The risk of worsening renal function from the contrast used during angiogram is real and high.
Even otherwise renal function may worsen with time...

Nuclear perfusion shows the physiology (function). A negative scan practically negates the chance of ischemia and angio may not be necessary. If positive, you will still need angio – practically, you end up doing both! - but worth it in view of safety.!

Angio is the gold standard to see the anatomy.
(CT scan is non-invasive and is done at times.)
However angio will be necessary – if intervention is needed / if the other test shows ischemia.

Go for nuclear perfusion as a first step. Angio may be delayed or avoided.


Take care
Wishing speedy recovery
God bless
Good luck