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Nuclear cardiology studies use noninvasive techniques to assess myocardial blood flow (the volume of blood moving through tissue at a certain rate), evaluate the pumping function of the heart, and visualize the size and location of a heart attack. Among the techniques of nuclear cardiology, myocardial perfusion imaging is the most commonly used.

An echocardiogram Is a simple, yet very essential, non-invasive test that uses two-dimensional, Doppler, M-mode, and color flow ultrasonic imaging for the assessment of chamber size and function, valve function, physiological information (blood flow velocities, gradients and pressures) and other important disorders such as congenital defects.

An Ambulatory Holter Monitor is a portable 24-hour tape recording of your heartbeat used to detect irregularities in rhythm.

For your convenience, Heart Matters offers a full service laboratory with licensed personnel and modern equipment to ensure the highest quality of testing.

Angioplasty with stent placement is a minimally invasive procedure used to open narrow or blocked arteries. This procedure can be performed in various parts of your body, depending on the location of the affected artery, and only requires a small incision. The procedure utilizes a tiny balloon to widen an artery, allowing blood to flow more freely. A stent is a tiny mesh tube that is inserted into your artery and left there to keep the artery open. This procedure can improve symptoms of blocked arteries, such as chest pain and shortness of breath.

A nuclear stress test begins with the injection of a small amount of a radioactive substance called Cardiolite via an IV. A special camera (called a Spect camera) is then used to take pictures of the heart both at rest and after stress. This test Is frequently used to evaluate patients with chest pain or after an angioplasty to detect re-blockage of the dilated artery, and after coronary bypass surgery to assess the integrity and function of the bypass graft done. If the patient cannot exercise due to conditions such as severe lung disease, arthritis, prior leg amputation, or stroke, a pharmacological stress test will be performed instead.

This type of echocardiogram, also known as TEE, is performed by inserting a small flexible tube with an ultra-sound transducer into the esophagus (similar to an endoscopy) after the throat is numbed with a local anesthetic spray and the patient receives mild intravenous sedation. This 15-20 minute examination provides accurate detailed Information on different heart structures.

There are several tests that can be performed to evaluate your pacemaker. Many of the routine pacer checks are done via telephone transmission from the patient’s home. Periodically, the patient may need to come to the office for a more formal interrogation or for computerized reprogramming of the device.

A patient-activated Holter Monitor-like recorder used for an extended period of time and helpful in the evaluation of sporadic cardiac symptoms or events.

Electrocardiograms provide information regarding the electrical activity of the heart, as well as various other cardiac abnormalities such as heart attacks. These are often necessary to make a diagnosis as well as for follow-ups.

These non-invasive tests are useful in the assessment of peripheral vascular disease or circulation disorders. Using various ultrasound and pressure recording techniques, the arteries and veins can more easily be studied. In addition, these exams can identify abnormalities in the carotid arteries of the neck and also abdominal aorta.

Angioplasty with stent placement is a minimally invasive procedure used to open narrow or blocked arteries. This procedure can be performed in various parts of your body, depending on the location of the affected artery, and only requires a small incision. The procedure utilizes a tiny balloon to widen an artery, allowing blood to flow more freely. A stent is a tiny mesh tube that is inserted into your artery and left there to keep the artery open. This procedure can improve symptoms of blocked arteries, such as chest pain and shortness of breath.

Cardiac catheterization (sometimes called an angiogram) is a specialized test which is useful in the evaluation of heart disease. The presence, or lack of coronary artery disease as well as the specific location and severity of coronary lesions can be determined with cardiac catheterization. This procedure Is able to determine the function of heart chambers, valves, and other cardiac structures. This test can also measure the different pressures and gradients within the heart.

Cardiac catheterization (sometimes called an angiogram) is a specialized test which is useful in the evaluation of heart disease. The presence, or lack of coronary artery disease as well as the specific location and severity of coronary lesions can be determined with cardiac catheterization. This procedure Is able to determine the function of heart chambers, valves, and other cardiac structures. This test can also measure the different pressures and gradients within the heart.