24-Hour Holter Monitoring
The Holter monitor is used in diagnosing heart rhythm disturbances that may occur at times when you are away from the doctor. It is used in conjunction with a written diary or log of your daily events and activities. The Holter monitor allows doctors to relate those symptoms to actual variations in heart rhythms, providing them with further diagnostic information for determining the most course of treatment.
Cardioversion
With the patient sedated, pads are applied to the chest and an electrical impluse is delivered to correct some types of abnormal heart rhythms. This procedure is done as an outpatient in the hospital.
Echocardiography
This test uses ultrasound-high frequency sound waves-to create a videotape of the heart’s chambers, valves, wall motion, and blood flow patterns. This can be done by applying the ultrasound probe to the chest wall. The transesphageal echocardiogram is done by passing the probe down the patient’s throat in order to image the patient’s heart from inside the chest.
Electrocardiogram (EKG and ECG)
The EKG records the heart’s electrical activity to detect abnormal heartbeats (arrhythmias). It can even show a heart attack in progress.
Event Recording and Assessment of Rhythm Disturbances
Event recording is often necessary when we cannot catch rhythm disturbances on a 24 Hour Holter Monitor or Electrocardiogram. This type of monitoring allows the patient to transmit rhythm disturbances from outside the doctor’s office with a small transmitter device.
Fully Equipped Laboratory
The lab is equipped to draw blood and send it to a processing laboratory that is contracted with your insurance plan.
Nerve Conduction Studies
The Nerve Conduction Velocity Test is a non-invasive electrical test for detecting abnormalities of the nerves. This test is most often ordered to evaluate nerves in patients with Diabetes. The nerves are stimulated with surface electrodes. A computer is used to record the response. You will feel a light tingling as the nerve is being stimulated. You should feel no pain once the test is finished.
For the test you will need to wear loose fitting clothes. Do not apply any lotion, cream or oil to the body to ensure proper electrode adhesion and correct test recording. Your physician will go over the results with you at a separate appointment.
Nuclear Cardiology
Using a high resolution detector-camera in conjunction with a pharmacologic radionuclide and treadmill test, your doctor can perform a number of different nuclear cardiology studies of the heart:
A Myocardial Perfusion test can assess coronary artery disease utilizing the treadmill and a pharmcologic agent. We utilize several different agents in conjunction with the radioisotope depending on the diagnosis and patient history.
Cardiac Blood Pool Imaging, also known as a MUGA, is used to evaluate the left ventricular function including wall motion and blood ejection fraction.
Pacemaker and Defibrillator Checkups
The heart is required to maintain a fast enough heartbeat and rhythm to keep blood flowing throughout the body. Pacemakers and Defibrillators are devices sometimes implanted in the body to keep the heart beating properly. Periodic checkups are required of these devices.
Peripheral Vascular Testing
Peripheral Vascular Testing is comprised of Carotid Ultrasound, Renal Ultrasound, Abdominal Ultrasound, Arterial and Ankle Brachial Index and Venous Doppler.
- Carotid Ultrasound is a test utilizing sound waves to assess the blood flow through the carotid arteries.
- Renal Ultrasound utilizes sound waves to assess the size of the kidneys and the blood flow of the renal(kidney) arteries.
- Abdominal Ultrasound examines the abdominal aorta for possible aneurysmor dilation of the artery.
- Arterial Ultrsound and Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) is performed to evaluate the arteries of the legs for peripheral vascular disease. This is sometime the cause for claudication and leg pain.
- Venous Doppler is performed to detect possible deep venous thrombosis or blood clots in the veins of the legs or arms.
Transcranial Doppler
Transcranial Doppler (TCD) technology dramatically simplifies the detection of PFO’sor Patent Foramen Ovale. Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) is increasingly being recognized as a cause of up to 56% of cryptogenic stroke and TIA’s, as well as a possible cause of migraine headaches. Other benefits of TCD include increased cost effectiveness and less patient discomfort compared to transesophageal echocardiography (TEE).
Transcranial Doppler (TCD) allows for non-invasive monitoring of cerebral blood flow. Embolic signals are detected after an injection of agitated saline (micro air bubbles) into an arm vein. This safe non-invasive procedure is done during resting conditions and during Valsalva.
Treadmill Testing
Commonly referred to as the Stress Test. Treadmill Testing takes about 45 minutes and evaluates the heart’s response to increased activity, blood pressure and heart rhythm response to activity. It is also used in several ways to diagnose coronary artery disease.