Mobile Cardiac PET/CT Imaging
The sole provider of Cardiac PET/CT Myocardial Perfusion Imaging on the Central Coast
At San Luis Obispo Heart, we are proud to offer Cardiac PET/CT Myocardial Perfusion Imaging — the gold standard in nuclear stress testing. This cutting-edge technology evaluates blood flow to the heart with higher accuracy, significantly lower radiation, and much faster imaging times than traditional nuclear scans.
Service Highlights
- State-of-the-Art Mobile PET/CT under the supervision of board-certified Nuclear Cardiologist Dr. Bandari
- The mobile tests are performed by licensed nuclear technologists with an emergency medical technician on site during the studies
- All studies read and interpreted by Dr. Bandari
- Available to the San Luis Obispo community at large on a referral basis
This service reflects our mission to bring extraordinary care and next-level cardiac imaging to the Central Coast — all within the trusted, convenient setting of San Luis Obispo Heart.
Why PET/CT (Myocardial Perfusion Imaging) Can Be a Great Option for You
According to the ASNC/SNMMI joint position statement published on August 15, 2016, PET MPI (when done with PET/CT) offers several meaningful advantages that make it an excellent choice for many patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease:
1. Highly Accurate & Reliable
PET MPI provides very accurate results, with strong ability to detect significant narrowing of the heart’s arteries (good sensitivity) and confirm when there’s no serious disease (good specificity). This accuracy helps you and your doctor make informed decisions and may avoid further testing if results are clearly normal.
2. Consistently Clear Images
The images from PET MPI are of high quality, delivering clear pictures regardless of your body size, shape, or physical condition. This helps reduce the chance of unclear or inconclusive results.
3. Lower Radiation Exposure
A complete PET MPI scan typically exposes you to less than 5 millisieverts (mSv) of radiation—and sometimes as low as 1 mSv with advanced 3D methods. That’s generally less radiation than many other heart imaging options.
4. Quick and Comfortable
The scan is fast. With rubidium-82 as a tracer, image capture can be done in less than one hour, with just about 5 minutes of actual imaging time. That’s especially helpful if movement or discomfort is a concern.
5. Measures Blood Flow (Quantitative Insight)
PET MPI can measure how much blood flows through your heart muscle at rest and under stress. This helps detect disease even when narrowing isn’t severe yet—or when multiple vessels are affected. It also gives insight into microvascular (small vessel) health.
6. Powerful Predictor of Future Risk
The results from PET MPI—including blood flow data—are strong indicators of future heart risk. This helps doctors classify your risk level more accurately and tailor your treatment better.
7. Added Value with PET/CT Combination
When PET is paired with CT (PET/CT), doctors can also see coronary artery calcium. This extra anatomical information enhances confidence in your results—all without extra radiation.
Summary: What This Means for You
PET MPI with PET/CT is a safe, fast, and highly accurate tool to evaluate your heart’s blood flow and artery health. It provides clear answers, minimizes radiation exposure, and gives doctors key insights that help guide treatment decisions. It’s especially recommended if you’ve had unclear results from other tests, face challenges with image quality, are considered higher risk (e.g., with diabetes or kidney issues), or are younger and may need multiple tests over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cardiac PET/CT Myocardial Perfusion Imaging?
Cardiac PET/CT is a non-invasive nuclear imaging test that measures blood flow to your heart muscle during rest and stress. It helps detect coronary artery disease, assess tissue viability, and identify blockages with unmatched precision — especially in patients with
difficult-to-interpret results from other stress tests.
How does it differ from traditional nuclear stress testing?
PET/CT offers several advantages over conventional SPECT nuclear tests:
- Higher resolution and accuracy
- Shorter test time
- Lower radiation exposure
- Better results in patients with obesity or multi-vessel disease
For many, it’s a more definitive tool for diagnosing and managing complex heart conditions.
Where is the test performed?
The PET/CT scan is performed in a mobile imaging unit that arrives at our office on scheduled days. The unit is fully equipped with a PET/CT scanner, power generator, and staffed by trained nuclear medicine technologists. You’ll stay under the care of Dr. Bandari, who will be present during the session and interpret your results.
Do I need to travel to a hospital or imaging center?
No. That’s one of the biggest advantages. This mobile service brings the full diagnostic experience to you — right here at San Luis Obispo Heart — with the comfort and continuity of being guided by Dr. Bandari and his team.
Who should consider this test?
Cardiac PET/CT is especially helpful for:
- Patients with equivocal or inconclusive stress test results
- Individuals who are overweight or have multiple heart risk factors
- Those with suspected coronary microvascular disease
- People who require more accurate imaging before invasive procedures
If you’ve had unclear results or ongoing symptoms, Dr. Bandari can help determine if this advanced test is right for you.
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