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Patient Home | PET and Heart Disease | Coronary Artery Coronary Artery
Blood flow to the heart muscle supplies the nutrients that heart muscle needs to function, i.e., to pump blood to the tissues, organs and muscles throughout the body. Coronary heart disease results in a narrowing of the vessels in the heart which restricts the amount of blood flow to these extremely important muscles. Proper treatment depends on understanding the level of severity of the disease and impact on the heart's function. PET provides a way to assess the severity of heart disease and measure its impact on heart function. The heart has a unique way of providing increased blood flow that is needed during periods of exercise or stress. A network of collapsed arteries and veins, called flow reserve, is ready to be used if the heart needs it. The heart also has the ability to develop collateral vessels to bring blood to heart tissues that may need more. When narrowing of the vessels occur with coronary heart disease, some of these collapsed vessels open so that the heart can maintain optimal flow. A portion of the flow that should be reserved for stress or exercise is needed for resting function. In fact, blood flow to the heart tissue at rest is not decreased (so that symptoms may not be detected) until the blockage is extensive, which may be when all the collapsed vessels in the area are fully in use to address the needs of the heart at rest. Further narrowing or blockage prevents the heart muscle from getting the blood it needs, even at rest. PET scanning can help in:
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