1. BILIARY SCAN: Do not eat or drink anything for 4 hours before your appointment.
2. BONE SCAN: You will receive an injection. After the injection, you will be free to go until your next appointment time. You will be instructed to drink 3-4 glasses of fluids and void frequently. You will return at the second appointment time for pictures. Initial injection: 20 Minutes | Later Images: 2 Hours 
3. GALLIUM SCAN: You will receive an injection of gallium, which is a small and safe amount of radioactive material. After the injection, you will be free to go until your next appointment time, between 6 to 48 hours later. Upon returning, images will be taken with a scanner to detect where the radiotracer has accumulated in your body. 
4. RENAL SCANS:

• • Renal Function Scan: Drink 2 cups of water 1 hour before your appointment. Bring a list of all your current blood pressure medications.
  • Renal Captopril Scan: Do not eat anything for 1 hour before your test. Please drink 4 glasses of liquid (water/juice – 1 glass each hour for 4 hours before your test). You may empty your bladder. Bring a list of all your current medications. At the time of booking, patients will be informed regarding discontinuation of Ace Inhibitors, diuretics, and other anti-hypertensive medication.

5. THYROID UPTAKE & SCAN: Thyroid medications (e.g. eltroxin, synthroid, thyroxine) or food containing iodine (e.g. kelp or seaweed) might affect the results of this test. Please inform staff at the time of booking if you are taking any thyroid medications. Check with your physician regarding the discontinuation of any thyroid medications or supplements (should be discontinued 3 weeks before your test). Bring a list of all your current medications. Thyroid Uptake & Scan is performed over 2 days:

• • Day 1: A capsule is taken orally, and a measurement is taken (up to 1 hour).
  • Day 2: 24-hour measurement of uptake, followed by an injection and then imaging (1 hour).

1. ABDOMEN: No eating or drinking (smoking or chewing gum) for 8 hours before your appointment.
2. PELVIC: You must completely drink 34 oz (or 1 litre) of water 1 hour before your appointment. Do not empty your bladder before the examination.
3. ABDOMEN & PELVIC: No eating or drinking for 8 hours before your appointment. HOWEVER, you must completely drink 34 oz (or 1 litre) of water 1 hour before your appointment. Do not empty your bladder before the examination.
4. ABDOMEN & LIMITED PELVIC: No eating or drinking (smoking or chewing gum) for 8 hours before your appointment.
5. FETAL GROWTH FOLLOW-UP & BIOPHYSICAL PROFILE: Patients should eat/drink a sweet snack 10 minutes prior to their appointment (i.e. fruit, chocolate bar or bottle of juice/smoothie).
6. OBSTETRIC (1^st + 2^nd TRIMESTER): You must completely drink 34 oz (or 1 litre) of water 1 hour before your appointment. Do not empty your bladder before the examination. Please click here for further information.
7. OBSTETRIC (3^rd TRIMESTER): Attempt to drink up to 1 litre of water 30 minutes before your appointment. Do not empty your bladder before the examination. You should eat/drink a sweet snack 10 minutes prior to your appointment (i.e., fruit, chocolate bar or bottle of juice/smoothie). Please click here for further information.
8. RENAL ARTERIES & ABDOMINAL AORTA: No eating or drinking for 3 hours before your appointment.
9. RENAL & BLADDER: No eating for 3 hours before your appointment. Start drinking 34 oz (or 1 litre) of water 1.5 hours before your appointment and finish it 1 hour before your appointment. Do not empty your bladder before the examination.
10. PORTAL VEIN: No eating or drinking (smoking or chewing gum) for 8 hours before your appointment.
11. OTHER: No preparation required for the following exams: Thyroid, Breast, Scrotum, Extremity and Vascular Ultrasound.

Special Instructions for Fasting Diabetic Patients:

• If needed, you may eat a piece of plain toast and drink a glass of orange juice.

ABDOMEN:

• Under 2 Years: No eating or drinking (except water) for 2 hours before your appointment.
• Ages 2-4 Years: No eating or drinking (except water) for 4 hours before your appointment.
• Ages 5-12 Years: No eating or drinking (except water) for 6 hours before your appointment.

PELVIC:

• Under 3 Years: Drink clear fluid without bubbles (such as water, apple juice, etc.)
• Ages 3-6 Years: Drink 16 oz. (2 cups) of water 30 minutes before your appointment.
• Ages 7-11 Years: Drink 24 oz. (3 cups) of water 45 minutes before your appointment.
• Ages 12-17 Years: Drink 32 oz. (4 cups) of water 1 hour before your appointment.

Do not take calcium/vitamin supplements for 24 hours before your exam. If you have had a nuclear medicine dye injection or a barium study within the past 2 weeks, please reschedule your BMD test. Patients are asked to wear clothing without zippers or metal attachments.

Do not wear any deodorant, powder, or perfume during your appointment. Wear a separate blouse with skirt or slacks.

ON THE DAY OF YOUR SLEEP STUDY:

• Avoid alcohol the whole day of your study
• Avoid napping on the day of your study
•  You can eat and drink normally until lunch time. After lunch, please do not have caffeine (no coffee, tea, pop, herbal teas or “decaf” products. Drink only water, juice and milk and eat normally, just no chocolate).
•  Take all medications as normal: there is no need to stop anything unless otherwise instructed by your physician.
• Please do not wear perfumes or other strong scented toiletries
• Have dinner as usual before coming to the centre.

TO BRING/PACK WITH YOU FOR YOUR STUDY:

• Your health card (valid OHIP card, ensure your card is not expired)
• A current list of your medications
• If you are already on PAP therapy please bring your mask and your hose.
• Any medications that you will need to take before sleeping or in the morning when you wake up.
• A change of comfortable clothes to sleep in (that could be pajamas, T-shirt and shorts, or a T-shirt and track pants. Tight pants and leggings should be avoided as they make applying the leg wires difficult and uncomfortable for you. Sleeping with no shirt or pant is not permitted. The rooms are kept cold, so bring extra layers with you in case you need it.
• We have extra blankets and pillows so there is no need to bring these items.
• A towel and toiletries like: toothbrush, toothpaste, face wash, and anything else you need to get ready for bed. You can also bring a book or anything to read before bed. Your hair will be sticky in the morning from the paste used to apply the wires to your head. You can shower here but please bring all items with you (towel, shampoo, conditioner, soap etc.).
• A bottle of water or juice to sip throughout the night if you like (clinic has a water cooler to refill bottles) and/or a snack (food is not permitted to be eaten in the bedrooms, only in the TV viewing area).

ABOUT YOUR OVERNIGHT STUDY:

•  The technician will register you and get you set-up with a room and there will be some paperwork to fill out, 6 pages in total. There might be a waiting period before the start of your set-up as the technicians attend to other patients too.
• The technician will get you to change into your night-time attire and will be applying wires to your scalp (parting in-between your hair), face, chest and legs. Tight hair weaves might have to be loosened. Dark nail polish or extra long nails should be avoided as they affect the test results. The technician will be monitoring you throughout the night. The technician might come into your room during the night to adjust or fix equipment as needed. Taking pictures/videos of the staff or the facility is not permitted.
•  Lights out is usually anywhere between 10:30pm to 11:30pm
• The technicians will wake you up around 5am. You can take a shower in the morning; however you will need to bring a towel, shampoo and soap with you.
• We do require 24 hours cancellation notice otherwise there is a charge of $200.
• Phone calls are answered by day-time staff Monday-Thursday 7am-5pm and on Fridays from 7am-4pm. In the event of calling outside these hours, kindly leave your full name, and the number that is best to reach you at (clinic does not have caller I.D.). Your message will be responded to on the next business day. After 7pm only voicemails pertaining to a same day sleep study will be responded to by technicians.

• You should be fasting (except water) for 4 hours before the test
• Insulin-dependent diabetics should take their insulin with a light meal 2 hours before the test.
• Discontinue all caffeine products 24 hours before the test. This includes all tea, coffee, decaffeinated tea/coffee, pop, chocolate, Tylenol 2 & 3 and/or medications containing caffeine.
• Wear loose fitting clothing, such a t-shirt, track pants, athletic shoes, etc. if the test involves treadmill exercise.
• Bring a list of all current prescription medications and check with your physician regarding the discontinuation of any heart medications, such as Beta-Blockers like Metroprolol or Atenolol, as well as Calcium Channel Blockers like Diltiazem or Verapamil.
• Do not take erectile dysfunction medications, such as Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, etc. for 48 hours before the test.
• If you are pregnant or there is a possibility of pregnancy, or if you are breastfeeding, Nuclear Medicine Stress Testing may not be appropriate for you at this time. Please consult with your physician.

Myocardial Perfusion Imaging consists of 2 parts. These parts may be completed in one or two days.

Rest Study: 1.5-2 Hours

• For this portion of the test the technologist will administer via intravenous injection a small amount of radioactive tracer, which is carried by the blood stream to your heart. There are no side effects with this injection. Approximately 15-45 minutes after your injection, the technologist will take pictures of your heart for approximately 20 minutes with a special gamma camera that detects the injection. For the imaging, you may be sitting in a specially designed imaging chair or lying on a bed and while the pictures are being taken, it’s important to remain very still during this time to avoid blurring the images.

Stress Study: 2-2.5 Hours

• For this portion of the test, ECG electrodes will be place on your chest to monitor your heart rhythm throughout the test. An intravenous line will also be placed in the arm or hand. You will begin to exercise on a treadmill, during which time your heart rate and blood pressure will rise. These are normal responses that are being closely monitored with your ECG.
• If you are unable to exercise adequately on a treadmill, similar results can be achieved using a drug called Persantine. Persantine mimics the effects of exercise by dilating the blood vessels of the heart, allowing for increased blood flow.
• Once you have reached your maximum level of exercise, the technologist will administer a small amount of radioactive tracer and you will continue exercising for an additional 1-2 minutes. If blood flow to the heart is limited due to coronary artery disease, then the amount of tracer in your heart is reduced. Following the Stress Test, the intravenous will be removed.
• It is very important that a set of pictures is taken after the stress test to compare to the resting images and assess the amount of blood supply to the heart at rest and during stress (exercise). Once the stress test is complete you will wait approximately 15-45 minutes afterwards before the imaging can begin. The wait time may vary based on individual characteristics to best optimize image quality, the technologist will advise how long you will be waiting before images.

After the Test: You will be able to return to your normal activities when the test is complete, unless your physician or technician tells you otherwise. You can drive after the test. If you are travelling by plane, train or crossing the border within one week after your test, please inform the technologist.

1. ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY: A cool sensation may be felt on your skin from the gel on the transducer, and a slight pressure of the transducer may be felt on your chest.
2. EXERCISE STRESS TEST OR STRESS ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY: Discontinue erectile dysfunction medication for 1 week before your test. Bring a list of all your current medications. Wear soft sole shoes and comfortable clothing.
3. HOLTER MONITORING: Please do not put any cream/lotion on your chest. Wear loose, comfortable clothing. Bring a list of all your current medications. Please note: a shower/bath is not permitted during the recording period.
4. BLOOD PRESSURE MONITORING: Please wear a shirt/blouse with short or loose-fitting sleeves. Bring a list of all your current medications.

Bring a list of all your current medications.