St Vincents Private Hospitals

The sestamibi scan, or MIBI scan, is a type of cardiac imaging that is helpful in diagnosing certain heart conditions. In Queensland, it is usually referred to as a myocardial perfusion scan. This two-part procedure works by using a mild radioactive agent (sestamibi) to measure the amount of blood being supplied to your heart, to determine how well it is pumping. Your doctor may recommend the sestamibi scan to determine the cause of chest pain, or to find out how well your heart is working after a heart attack. It may also be useful in determining the best treatment pathway if you are suffering from coronary heart disease. The first part of the test monitors your heart at rest, while you are sitting and breathing normally. During the second part, your doctor will evaluate the impact of stress or exercise on your heart. This can be done either through active movement or by using special medication.

How does is it work?

The sestamibi scan is a type of nuclear cardiac test that uses a special liquid known as a tracer to observe how the blood flow behaves in and around the heart. The tracer has certain properties that mean it can be detected from outside the body. When it travels through the bloodstream, the tracer is usually absorbed by a healthy heart muscle. However, it will not be absorbed by any areas of the heart that are damaged or where the blood is not flowing effectively. A special camera is used to detect the radioactive energy from outside the body and take pictures of the heart during the rest phase, and the stress phase. It can take up to 6 hours to complete both parts of the test, after which the two sets of images are compared and analysed.