ANGIOPLASTY
Coronary angioplasty. This procedure is used to treat blockages in the coronary arteries of the heart and other vascular structures of the extremities using stents, balloons and lasers.
CORONARY STENT - BARE METAL & DRUG ELUTING
Performed via catheter, a cylindrical mesh device is placed in a blocked vessel to keep it open. At times, drug-coated stents are needed that emit a drug to help prevent the blockage from restenosis.
ATHERECTOMY
An atherectomy is a procedure in which your interventional cardiologist introduces a specialised catheter into a blocked vessel to remove a buildup of plaque from within the vessel. The catheter contains a sharp rotating blade, a grinding bit or a laser filament, and a collection system that permits the interventionalist to remove the plaque from the wall of the vessel and collect or suction any resulting debris. Atherectomy is typically used to treat blockages where angioplasty and stenting could not be performed. This may be as a result of structural factors, the location of the blockage, the plaque itself or other factors. Atherectomy is more commonly complemented to an angioplasty/stenting removing significantly hardened blockages, and allowing for the insertion of a balloon and stent. A stent is a small metal scaffold that helps to prevent a blockage from re-forming at the same location.
LVAD
LVAD is an artificial heart pump. It is used to treat people with severe heart failure and is sometimes given to people who are put on the waiting list for a heart transplant. Normally, the left ventricle pumps blood into your aorta (the large artery leaving the heart) and around your body and used in the event that someone has severe heart failure, the heart is too weak to pump enough blood around the body.
A few patients being considered for a heart transplant may need to have an LVAD implanted if they are unlikely to survive until a suitable donor heart becomes available. The device helps the failing heart and aims to restore normal blood flow.
CAROTID STENT
These are similar to the coronary stent, however, this stenting procedure opens the carotid arteries allowing for crucial blood flow to the brain to prevent or treat a stroke.
PERIPHERAL STENT
Procedure to treat Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) to open blockages and increase blood flow to areas in the legs and other vessels outside of the heart, such as the renal artery leading to the kidneys.
PERCUTANEOUS VALVE REPLACEMENT
An alternative to open-heart valve replacement for patients with severe aortic stenosis, the aortic valve is replaced in a minimally invasive procedure deploying a valve replacement via catheter. This procedure is also known at Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement or Transcatheter Aortic Valve Intervention, TAVI.
TRANSCATHETER CLOSURES
Procedure performed via catheter to permanently close a heart defect such as a hole in the heart or for patients with ASD or PFO.
ELECTROPHYSIOLOGIC STUDIES
Studies conducted to identify the location of the heart’s electrical pathways. Electrical wires are inserted into a catheter and guided through blood vessels via groin or arm to your heart. While inside the chambers of the heart, the wires record abnormal impulses or heart beats.
IMPLANTABLE CARDIAC DEFIBRILLATOR (ICD)
A small electronic device which is just about the size of deck of cards, it constantly monitors your heart rhythm. If it senses an abnormal rapid heart rhythm, it delivers shocks to the heart and restores a normal rhythm. ICDs continuously monitor the heart rhythm, automatically function as pacemakers for heart rates that are too slow, and deliver life-saving shocks if a dangerous fast heart rhythm is detected.
PACEMAKER (permanent and temporary)
A pacemaker is an electrical system that includes a pulse generator (pacemaker) and one or two leads, or wires, which deliver impulses to the heart. The leads also carry signals back from the heart. By sensing these signals, the pulse generator is able to verify cardiac activity and respond appropriately. A pacemaker helps to pace the heart when its own rate is too slow to pump enough blood to the rest of the body.
BIVENTRICULAR DEVICE
Performed via catheter, a cylindrical mesh device is placed in a blocked vessel to keep it open. At times, drug-coated stents are needed that emit a drug to help prevent the blockage from restenosis.
NUCLEAR IMAGING
This is a diagnostic nuclear test to determine if the heart muscle is getting the required blood supply. This test consists of two parts. During the first part you are administered a contrast material while you are resting and a picture of your heart is taken. A second injection is given later during the exercise portion of exam and additional pictures of your heart will be taken.
Patient Instructions
DO NOT OR DRINK ANY OF THESE FOR 24 HOURS BEFORE THE SCHEDULED TEST DATE.
Coffee, Tea, Soda (not even decaffeinated)
Chocolate (Dark, White, Cocoa… none)
Hot Chocolate
If you are diabetic, please eat a small meal.
No food for four hours before the test.
Please notify the technician or physician if you are taking asthma/COPD medication or if you are taking theophylline.
Please be aware that this test will take a minimum of 3-4 hours.
Take all meds unless directed differently by your doctor. If your doctor asks you to stop meds, please bring them with you so you can take them as soon as the test is over.
MIBI STRESS TEST (Nuclear Stress Test)
This test is a sensitive means of detecting abnormalities in blood flow to the heart muscle. You will receive an IV dose of a radiopharmaceutical. Images of your heart will be taken under a camera for 7 to 20 minutes. We will then perform a treadmill stress test and at a specific heart rate, you will receive a second dose of the radiopharmaceutical. 40 minutes later, a second set of images will be taken under the camera, again for 7 to 20 minutes. The entire test takes approximately 3 hours.
MIBI STRESS TEST (Nuclear) with Pharmaceutical Stress
This test is a sensitive means of detecting abnormalities in blood flow to the heart muscle and is designed for patients who may not be able to increase their heart rate through exercise or who have a certain abnormal rhythm on their EKG. You will receive an IV dose of a radiopharmaceutical agent. Images of your heart will be taken under a camera for 7 to 20 minutes. A drug will be given to you through the IV line to increase flow to the heart. This is the exertion part of the test. An additional dose of the radiopharmaceutical agent will be given to you. You will then eat the snack you brought from home. 40 minutes later, a second set of images will be taken under the camera, again for 7 to 20 minutes. The entire test takes approximately 3 hours.
CAROTID DUPLEX
A Carotid Duplex Scan uses sound waves to evaluate the main arteries in the neck which supply blood to the brain. This is a noninvasive test, no needles, catheters or dyes are used. An ultrasound is used to create a picture of the shape of tissues and organs. The walls of blood vessels, including any deposits or narrowing, can also be seen. A gel is placed on the skin over the area to be studied. An instrument, called a transducer or probe, is placed on your skin. Sound waves are transmitted from the transducer. The sound waves reflect off the tissues and organs to create a picture that can be seen on a screen. Blood flow through the blood vessels can be heard as the test is being completed.
VENOUS DUPLEX
A Venous Duplex Study uses sound waves to check the venous flow in the legs and arms for blood clots which may cause pain or swelling. This is a noninvasive test, no needles, catheters or dyes are used. Ultrasound is used to create a picture of the shape of tissues and organs inside your body. The walls of blood vessels, including any deposits or narrowing, can also be seen.
TMT
The electric activity of the heart is observed and recorded while you walk on treadmill. The speed and incline of the treadmill increases slightly every 3 minutes until the pulse rate reaches the target heart rate determined by your age. The ECG recording will then be reviewed. If considered normal, it is unlikely that you have significant coronary artery narrowings. If it is abnormal, other tests may be suggested.
STRESS ECHOCARDIOGRAM TREADMILL
A Treadmill Stress Echocardiogram is given to help evaluate the condition of your heart and arteries. An echocardiogram is a sound wave picture of your heart. These images will be obtained before, during and after exercise on the treadmill. While you exercise on the treadmill, your EKG and blood pressure will be closely monitored. The exercise protocol gradually increases the workload of your heart, allowing to look for changes that may warn of heart problems. This entire test will take about 45 minutes.
ECHO
Sound waves are used to create an image of the heart. These sound waves are painlessly transmitted to the heart by placing a transducer or a probe on the chest wall. The echoes returning to the transducer are converted by computer into a picture of the heart. This test allows us to evaluate the muscle and valves of the heart.
An echocardiogram is an ultrasound or sound wave test of the heart. It is used to evaluate the size, thickness and pumping action/capacity of the heart. It can also help evaluate murmurs, valve problems, or fluid around the heart.
ECHOCARDIOGRAM/W BUBBLE STUDY
This study shows the structure and function of your heart. The standard form of this test is called a transthoracic echocardiogram. With this test, a sonographer will use a transducer against the skin over the heart. The probe emits high-pitched sound waves and records the sound wave echoes as they reflect off internal structures in the heart. A computer converts the echoes into moving images on a monitor. Variations of this procedure may be used to identify PFO. Saline contrast study (bubble study) with this approach, a sterile salt solution is shaken until tiny bubbles form and then is injected into a vein. The bubbles travel to the right side of your heart and appear on the echocardiogram. If there’s no hole between the left atrium and right atrium, the bubbles will simply be filtered out in the lungs. If you have a PFO, some bubbles will appear on the left side of the heart.
PACEMAKER INTERROGATION
Interrogation is a complete analysis of pacemaker function. It is done in the office with a device that communicates to the pacemaker by telemetry. It allows adjustment of pacemaker rate, electrical output, and evaluation and adjustment of many other parameters.
ICD ASSESSMENT
By communicating to the AICD unit with a telemetry device, the settings, discharges and functions of the AICD can be assessed and reprogrammed, if needed.
HOLTER/EVENT MONITORING
A Holter Monitor records the electrical activity of the heart beats for 24 hours on a state device. A diary is provided for entry of daily activity and allows correlation of symptoms and activities with the heart’s electrical function. The Event Recorder captures only 2-3 minutes of electrical activity, but can be carried in a purse or pocket and use when symptom occurs. It is best for infrequent and intermittent problems that may not occur on a daily basis.