Cardiac PET Scan
A Cardiac PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scan is a highly effective imaging tool that is used to diagnose cardiac disease. It is particularly useful in detecting coronary heart disease. Blood flow to the heart is measured through PET imaging, and because the images are consistently of high quality, a more accurate diagnosis is able to be made.
Nuclear Stress Testing
A nuclear stress test is a non-invasive diagnostic test that is designed to detect and evaluate heart disease. This test uses a very low dose of a radioactive agent to evaluate the heart's blood flow and function at rest and after exercise. A gamma camera is used to produce pictures detecting and mapping the radiation throughout the heart.
Echocardiography
An echocardiography (echo) is a non-invasive test that uses ultrasonic waves directed over the chest wall to obtain a graphic record of the heart's position, wall motion and internal parts such as the valves. The sound waves are sent through a device called a transducer and are reflected off the various structures of the heart. These echoes are converted into pictures of the heart that can be seen on a video monitor. Testing can take anywhere between 15 and 45 minutes. Other forms of echos that we perform are carotid ultrasounds and arterial duplex imaging.
Holter Monitoring
A holter monitor provides a continuous recording of heart rhythm during normal activity for a typical period of 24 hours. The recorded information is then analyzed, and irregular heart activity is correlated with your activity at the time. It is particularly useful in diagnosing heart rhythm irregularities that would not be discovered during a routine EKG.
Diagnostic Catheterization
A diagnostic cardiac catheterization is an invasive procedure that involves the insertion of a catheter (long, thin tube) into the heart via a vein in your groin. During the procedure, dye is injected into the coronary arteries that enable x-ray pictures of the heart to be taken. These pictures will show any blockages that may be present in your coronary arteries.
Interventional Cardiology
PTCA (Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty) is a catheter-based invasive procedure that involves inserting and expanding a small balloon to expand the opening of an artery. A device called a stent, which resembles a spring that is found in ball-point pens, will often be inserted to keep the artery open.
Pacemaker/Defibrillator
A pacemaker is a device designed to regulate the beating of the heart. The purpose of the pacemaker is to stimulate the heart when it is not beating fast enough or if there are blocks in the heart's electrical conduction system preventing the propagation of electrical impulses from the native pacemaker to the lower chambers of the heart. Defibrilators (ICDs) include all of the functions of a pacemaker and will also shock the heart to terminate dangerous heart rhythms. Newer CRT devices can help damaged hearts beat stronger for patients with congestive heart failure.
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)
TAVR is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that repairs the valve without removing the old, damaged valve. A TAVR procedure allows a new valve to be inserted within your diseased aortic valve. The new valve will push the leaflets of your disease valve aside. The frame will use the leaflets of your diseased valve to secure it in place.
Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair (TMVR)
TMVR is a minimally invasive technique for treatment of symptomatic chronic moderate-severe or severe mitral regurgitation. TMVR uses a MitraClip system that creates a double mitral valve orifice by means of a clip in the mid portion of the anteromedial and posterolateral leaflets that reduces the amount of mitral regurgitation.
