Heart Clinics Northwest
NON-INVASIVE DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES

Purpose

Preparation

Echocardiogram

Echocardiogram is a non-invasive ultrasound exam helpful in the diagnosis of multiple forms of heart disease. Two-dimensional images allow evaluation of the severity of valve disease, chamber size measurement, and calculation of ejection fraction.

The exam takes approximately one hour and requires no special preparation by the patient.  Patients should wear loose, comfortable clothing. 

Stress Echocardiogram

Stress Echocardiogram is a non-invasive ultrasound combined with exercise treadmill examination, used to diagnose wall motion abnormalities resulting from ischemic disease.  In addition, viability of damaged heart muscle, regurgitant lesions, and intracardiac pressures can be evaluated. 

Stress Echo takes 1-1 ½ hours.  Heart rate, blood pressure, and ECG are closely monitored throughout the exam.  Nothing orally, except water, 4 hours prior to test.  Beta blockers and other medications, as instructed, should be withheld for 24 hours prior to test.  Patients are advised to wear loose fitting clothing and comfortable walking shoes. 

Dobutamine Stress Echo

  As an alternative to Stress Echo,
  Dobutamine Echocardiography is
  a non-invasive stress ultrasound
  useful in patients who are unable
  to  exercise. This examination uses
  Dobutamine, and occasionally
  atropine, to pharmacologically
  increase the patient’s heart rate.

The exam takes approximately 2 hours.  Heart rate, blood pressure, and ECG are closely monitored throughout the exam.  Beta blockers, Viagra, and other medications, as instructed, should be withheld for 24 hours prior to the exam.  Nothing orally, except water, 4 hours prior to test.  Patients should wear loose, comfortable clothing. 

Carotid Duplex Exam

This exam evaluates carotid blood flow and possible causes of stroke or transient ischemic attack.

The exam takes about 1-1½ hours.  It requires no specific prep and no special clothing. 

Abdominal Renal Exam

The abdominal vascular exam is a non-invasive exam helpful in diagnosis of abdominal aortic aneurysm and evaluation of abdominal bruits.

The exam takes 1-2 hours.  Patients must fast for an 8-hour period prior to testing.  Loose fitting, comfortable clothing is suggested. 

Ankle Brachial Index

This arterial exam is a non-invasive exam helpful in evaluation of arterial insufficiency.  At-rest ankle brachial pressures are obtained, as well as post exercise, to evaluate physiologic changes in pressure. 

The exam takes 30 minutes.  No special preparation is required, although it is helpful for patients to wear shorts. 

Lower Extremity Arterial Exam

This arterial exam is a non-invasive exam helpful in evaluation of arterial insufficiency.  Ultrasound is used to determine the location and severity of disease.  At-rest ankle brachial pressures are obtained, as well as post exercise, to evaluate physiologic changes in pressure.

The exam takes 1½-2 hours.  Patients may have a light meal prior to testing.  Loose fitting, comfortable clothing is suggested. 

Venous Study (leg)

Venous study is helpful in locating deep venous thrombosis (vein clot)

This exam takes 1-1½ hours and requires no special preparation. 

Purpose

Preparation

Exercise Treadmill Testing

  Exercise Treadmill is useful in the
  diagnosis of exercise induced
  cardiac ischemia and aids in
  evaluating therapy.  Patients are
  exercised on an incline treadmill
  to reach peak tolerance.  Vital
  signs and EKG are closely
  monitored during this test.

Exercise Treadmill Testing takes 1 hour.  Heart rate, blood pressure, and ECG are closely monitored throughout the exam.  Nothing orally, except water, 4 hours prior to test.  Beta blockers and other medications, as instructed, should be withheld for 24 hours prior to test.  Patients are advised to wear loose fitting clothing and comfortable walking shoes. 

Nuclear Myocardial Perfusion Studies

This test can detect cardiac muscle damage or conditions that may lead to damage through injection of a small amount of heart-sensitive radioisotope.  The heart is subsequently imaged with a special camera.  Images are obtained at rest and after treadmill exercise stress testing.  For those patients unable to exercise, the drug Persantine can simulate exercise by increasing the patient heart rate and blood pressure. 

The test takes approximately two hours.  Preparation for the exam requires that beta blockers, Viagra, and other medications, as instructed, be withheld for 24 hours prior to exam.  Patients must avoid caffeine and decaf products for 24 hours prior to testing.  Nothing orally, except water, 4 hours prior to test. 

IMPORTANT:  Due to isotope cost, patients who do not give 24 hours advance notice of cancellation for nuclear cardiology perfusion studies will be charged for the isotope.

ECG

12 lead electrocardiogram to evaluate resting abnormalities in heart rhythm and cardiac status. 

King Of Hearts Monitor

The King of Heart Monitor selectively records heart rhythm as patient symptoms occur.  Patients manually trigger recordings.  Worn for a two-week period, this method is appropriate for infrequent symptoms.  The monitors are designed for telephone transmission of ECG tracings over an extended period of time. 

Holter Monitor

This monitor provides continuous tracking of cardiac rhythm for changes correlating with patient symptoms.  Worn for 24 hours, the Holter Monitor is the best choice for symptoms that occur frequently. 

Pacemaker & Defibrillator Checks

Prescribed for follow-up of pacemaker and defibrillator function.  A transmitter is supplied to the patient, who is contacted on a regular basis for pacemaker checks.