Services
Electrocardiography
Heart electrical activity is measured providing information about heart rhythm, presence of coronary artery disease, thickening of heart muscle and other kinds of heart disease.
24 hour Holter Monitoring
A small tape recorder is worn for 24 hours by the patient to record each heart beat. Rhythm disturbances are analyzed on a computer and are matched to symptoms that the patient has recorded in a log.
Event Holter Monitor Recordings
A small recording device is carried by the patient for several weeks. When symptoms are experienced the patient activates the recorder to capture the rhythm disturbance that caused the symptom.
Echocardiography
An echocardiogram is a non-invasive diagnostic test performed to evaluate the heart's function. While the echocardiogram is being done, both you and your doctor will be able to watch your heart, as it beats, on a small monitor. Conductive gel will be placed on your chest, and then a transducer will be placed on top of the gel. It is able to "broadcast" high frequency sound waves into your chest cavity. These sound waves bounce off of your heart and the results, or echoes, are picked up on the echocardiogram machine, which makes pictures based on the sound waves.
An echocardiogram is able to monitor the performance of the valves. It can help to diagnose structural abnormalities in the heart wall, valves, and blood vessels. It can detect tumors, clots or pericardial effusions (abnormal fluid collection around the heart). It is sometimes used after a heart attack to evaluate the cardiac wall motion and function.
Carotid Ultrasounds
The carotid arteries are the major vessels which pass through the neck which supply the brain with blood. Carotid ultrasound is the study of the carotid arteries using sound waves. Ultrasound is able to provide both two dimensional images of the vessels and information regarding the speed of blood flow through the carotid vessels. Accurate approximation of the degree of blockage of these vessels can be then calculated.
The patient will be asked to lay on his or her side. An ultrasound probe will be placed first on one side of the neck, and then the other. The study generally takes about a half hour. It requires no sedation, and the patient may drive immediately following the procedure.
Renal Ultrasounds
A non-invasive imaging procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves to view the arteries supplying the kidneys to determine the presence of narrowing.
Regular Stress Testing
An important method of screening patients for the presence of coronary artery disease involves walking on a treadmill to create a "stress" for the heart. When a patient cannot walk on a treadmill a similar stress can be created using intravenous medications- Persantin, Dobutamine or Adenocard.
Stress Echocardiography
Performed immediately following stress, looking for signs which suggest poor blood flow to heart muscle.
Nuclear Stress Testing
In these tests a tiny amount of a radiopharmacutical is injected via a vein in the hand. The most common drugs used are Thallium and Cardiolyte.
Chemical Stress Testing
Cholesterol Checks
A trained technician takes blood samples for analysis of "good" and "bad" cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Prothrombin Checks
(PT for patients on the blood thinner Coumadin)
Pacemaker Evaluation and Interrogation
Tests basic function of pacemaker relating to pacing and battery status. Useful for surveillance of suspect leads or near EOL.
Defibrillator Evaluation and Interrogation
The Arrhythmia Center
- Evaluation of Palpitations
- Evaluation of Syncope
- 24 Hour Holter monitor recordings
- Event Holter monitor recordings
- Pacemaker insertions and interrogations
- Defibrillator insertions and interrogations
- Ablation procedures for treatment of arrhythmias