Non-Invasive Cardiology
The cardiac specialists at the Tommy Lasorda Heart Institute use state-of-the-art approaches to assess a patients’ heart function. Medical technology now makes it possible to evaluate the heart’s strength and function using non-invasive techniques.
An echocardiogram (ECHO), one of the most common procedures, uses high-pitched sound waves to produce an image of the heart that can be viewed on a video screen. The ECHO evaluates heart wall thickness and motion, as well as the structure and function of the heart valves. This helps identify problems such as poor blood flow in the heart, areas of heart muscle that are not contracting normally, previous injury to the heart muscle caused by impaired blood flow and evidence of heart failure or a blood clot.
Non-invasive procedures offered at the Tommy Lasorda Heart Institute include:
Electrocardiogram
An electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) is a test that checks for problems with the electrical activity of your heart. An EKG translates the heart's electrical activity into line tracings on paper. The spikes and dips in the line tracings are called waves.
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Holter Monitor
A Holter Monitor (also called an ambulatory device) is a portable device for continuously monitoring various electrical activity of the central nervous system for at least 24 hours. The most common use is for monitoring the heart or ECG, but can also be used for monitoring EEG. Its extended recording period is sometimes useful for observing occasional cardiac arrhythmias or epileptic events (EEG) that would be difficult to identify in a shorter period of time. For patients having more transient symptoms, a cardiac event monitor which can be worn for a month or more can be used.
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Echocardiogram
An echocardiogram (often called "echo") is a graphic outline of the heart's movement. During an echocardiogram test, ultrasound that comes from a hand-held wand placed on your chest, is used to provide pictures of the heart's valves and chambers and help the sonographer evaluate the pumping action of the heart. An echo test is often combined with a doppler ultrasound and color doppler to evaluate blood flow across the heart’s valves.
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Stress echocardiography
Echocardiography uses sound waves to produce an image of the heart and to see how it is functioning. Stress echocardiography (or stress echo) lets doctors see the wall motion of the heart's pumping chambers before and after exercise. The test can show if certain areas of the heart muscle are not getting enough oxygen-rich blood.
If your doctor wants you to have a stress echocardiogram, you will have the same test as exercise stress testing, except that when your heart rate reaches a certain number you will be asked to step off of the treadmill or stationary bike and lie down. For patients who are too sick to exercise, doctors can give them a drug that has the same effect on the body that exercise does. Some examples of the drugs that may be given are dobutamine or adenosine. You may hear this type of test called a dobutamine stress echo.
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Transesophageal Echocardiography
Like standard echocardiography, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) uses sound waves to produce an image of the heart and to see how it is functioning. But unlike standard echocardiography, the sound waves travel through a tube-like device put in the mouth and passed down the throat into the esophagus. (The esophagus is the tube that connects the throat to the stomach).
This test can show doctors the detailed size, shape, and movement of your heart muscle, and the condition of your aorta, which is the main blood vessel supplying blood to your body. It can also show how the heart valves are working and how blood is flowing through your heart. TEE also gives doctors information about your arteries. Doctors use this test when they cannot get a clear picture of your heart using standard echocardiography.
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Dual Isotope Stress Test
A dual isotope or thallium stress test is a nuclear medicine study that is ordered by your doctor. This test helps your physician in determining if you have a blockage in one or more of the arteries around your heart. This exam also allows your physician to visualize whether there has been any damage done to your heart by any problems you may have had previously.
The material used to visualize your heart is a radioisotope. This is not a contrast agent that causes allergic responses in some people. A radioisotope is a radioactive material that is bound with a specific agent that targets a certain area of the body. A nuclear gamma camera is then used to identify the radioactive material and place it on an image for the physician to read. The radiation received to you during this test is very minimal. It is about the same level as a CT scan would be. The radioisotopes naturally decay over time. They are removed from the body through your urine. It is recommended that after the test you drink plenty of fluids to speed this process up and to decrease the amount of radiation exposure you receive.
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Cardioversion
Cardioversion is a procedure that converts certain types of abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) to normal rhythms. There are two types of electrical cardioversion, internal and external. External cardioversion may be performed in an emergency situation (e.g., with a defibrillator) or in a non-emergency situation.
The most common type of non-emergency external cardioversion uses mild electrical shocks that are carefully timed to stop an arrhythmia and restore a normal heartbeat. In addition, cardioversion may also be accomplished with medications.
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Tilt Table Testing
Tilt table testing is a simple test that helps the doctor pinpoint the cause of your fainting. It checks how changes in body position can affect your blood pressure. To do this, you are placed on a table that is tilted upward. The test tries to recreate fainting symptoms while your blood pressure and heart rate are monitored.
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