Noninvasive Cardiac Services

TREADMILL STRESS TEST
A treadmill stress test is a diagnostic test used to evaluate the adequacy of blood supply to the heart muscle. Exercise will be performed on a treadmill and throughout the exam the electrocardiogram and blood pressure will be monitored by a cardiologist. The total duration of the study is approximately 30 minutes.

ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY- all echocardiography studies are performed with our Acuson SEQUOIA C256 ultrasound System with second harmonic imaging capability.

• Resting Echocardiogram
  An echocardiogram is a procedure that uses sound waves to produce an image of the heart. A device called a transducer generates sound waves and records the Echo-Doppler effect produced by the heart. As a result, images of the heart are obtained. These images of the heart will enable the physician to diagnose the effects of coronary artery disease, and valvular or muscle disorders. Difficult echocardiographic studies are performed with myocardial contrast for endocardial border delineation and spectral Doppler enhancement. The total duration of the study is approximately 30 minutes.

• Stress Echocardiogram
  Purpose- diagnose the significance (luminal narrowing) of coronary artery disease or evaluate the stress hemodynamics of various valvular lesions. An exercise echocardiogram consists of a resting echocardiogram as previously described. An additional set of images will be obtained after stress with treadmill exercise, or with a drug (e.g. dobutamine) that stresses the heart in patients unable to achieve an adequate level of exercise. The electrocardiogram and blood pressure will be monitored at baseline, throughout exercise and into the recovery phase of the exam. Upon completion of the stress phase a second set of images will be taken immediately to complete the exercise echocardiogram procedure. The total duration of the study is approximately 1 hour.

• Viability Study
  A viability study is a diagnostic test used to evaluate the cause of heart muscle dysfunction. This study uses a specific dobutamine stress echocardiography protocol in order to assess non-reversible (scar) from reversible (viable) heart muscle function. In the latter situation, patients may benefit from procedures that restore normal blood flow to specific areas of the heart. The total duration of the study is approximately 1 hour.

• Transesophageal Echocardiogram
  A transesophageal echocardiogram is a procedure in which a transducer which generates sound waves and records the Echo-Doppler effect produced by the heart is placed within the esophagus (“food pipe”) and stomach. The procedure is performed with sedation and close monitoring under the direction of a cardiologist and assisting nurse. The study will provide clear and accurate images of the heart that will enable the physician to better diagnose the cause of strokes, infections, or valvular disorders of the heart. The total duration of the study is approximately 1 hour.

NUCLEAR CARDIOLOGY-

all nuclear cardiology studies are performed with our new Siemens E.CAM dual-headed nuclear cardiology camera.

• Myocardial Perfusion Study
  A myocardial perfusion study is a diagnostic test used to evaluate the adequacy of blood supply to the heart muscle. An intravenous (I.V.) line is inserted to inject the radioactive imaging agent (Cardiolite) while at rest, and a special camera will take pictures of the heart. Cardiolite will be administered one other time by an injection during exercise (the “stress” portion of the test), and additional pictures will be taken of the heart. The stress portion of the test will consist of either treadmill exercise, or medication with I.V. Persantine (dipyridamole USP) or I.V. dobutamine to simulate stress for patients who are unable to achieve an adequate level of exercise. Throughout the exercise phase of the exam the electrocardiogram and blood pressure will be monitored. The total duration of the study is approximately 3-4 hours.

• Resting Gated Blood Pool Study (MUGA)
  A resting gated blood pool study is a diagnostic test used to evaluate heart muscle function. An intravenous (I.V.) line is inserted to inject the radioactive imaging agent (technetium-99m pertechnetate) while at rest, and a special camera will take pictures of the heart approximately 30 minutes later. The total duration of the study is approximately 60-90 minutes.

• Viability Study
  A viability study is a diagnostic test used to evaluate the cause of heart muscle dysfunction. An intravenous (I.V.) line is inserted to inject the radioactive imaging agent (thallium-201) while at rest, and a special camera will take pictures of the heart after initial injection and again 3-4 hours later. The total duration of the study is approximately 4 hours.
  
  
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