What To Expect Before a Lung Ventilation/Perfusion
Scan
Most people don’t need to prepare for a lung
ventilation/perfusion (VQ) scan. Your doctor may ask you to wear clothing that
has no metal hooks or snaps. These materials can block the scanner’s view.
Or, you may be asked to wear a hospital gown for the test.
Tell your doctor whether you’re pregnant or
may be pregnant. If possible, you should avoid unnecessary radiation exposure
during pregnancy. This is because of the concern that radiation may harm the
fetus.
You and your doctor will decide whether the benefits
of a VQ scan outweigh the small risk to the fetus, or whether another test
might be better.
If you’re breast-feeding, ask your doctor how
long you should wait after the test before you breast-feed. The radioisotopes
used for VQ scans can be passed to your baby through your breast milk.
You may want to prepare for the scan by pumping and
saving milk for 24 to 48 hours in advance. You can bottle-feed your baby in the
hours after the VQ scan. |