Lung ventilation-perfusion scan

Preparation

• You do not need to fast for this scan.
• You may take your usual medication.
• Bring the prescription from your doctor if you have one.
• Inform the nurse before the test if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Make sure you arrive at the nuclear medicine department at the appointed time.

Procedure

Duration: approximately 1 hour.

1: Air exchange (ventilation)

• You will take medication to protect your thyroid from radioactive substances.
• You will inhale a small amount of mildly radioactive gas.
• The scanner will take images of the ventilation in your lungs.

2: Blood flow (perfusion)

• A catheter will be placed in a vein in your arm.
• A radioactive tracer will be injected through the catheter.
• The catheter will then be removed.
• You take your place under the scanner.
• The scanner will take images of the blood flow in your lungs.

After the examination, you may leave the hospital. In the following hours, drink extra water (1 to 1.5 litres) to get the tracer out of your lungs faster.