Non-Invasive Diagnostics and Stress Testing measure the heart’s performance, pinpoint problems and accurately identify the most appropriate treatment. New and advanced diagnostic tests and tools are constantly being introduced to further understand the complexity of disease, injury, and congenital or acquired abnormalities.
Electrocardiographic Tests. Using non-invasive equipment and technologies,
electrocardiographic tests evaluate the electrical activity generated by the heart. Available technologies include—
-
Ambulatory Monitors (holter monitors, loop recorders, mobile cardiac outpatient telemetry and transtelephonic transmitters), which assess the heart rhythm over time, correlate symptoms with the heart rhythm, diagnose abnormal heart rhythms, and guide treatment options.
-
Electrocardiograms (ECG or EKG), which assess the heart rhythm and diagnose ischemia, heart attack heart chamber enlargement, arrhythmias and other abnormalities.
-
Exercise Stress Tests, which assess adequacy of blood flow to the heart during increasing levels of activity and evaluate the effectiveness of a cardiac treatment plan.
-
Tilt Table Tests, which determine the cause of fainting spells and evaluate heart rhythm, blood pressure and other symptoms as the position of the body changes.
-
Metabolic Exercise Stress Tests, which evaluate the fitness of the heart and lungs, determine the nature of symptoms such as shortness of breath or chronic fatigue, measure the functional capacity of the heart, assess the appropriateness of certain surgical treatments, evaluate the effectiveness of cardiac treatment plans, and help patients and physicians develop safe and effective exercise programs.
Cardiac Ultrasound. Ultrasound technology incorporates advanced Doppler technology to provide graphic outlines of the heart's movement, enabling specialists to evaluate the pumping action of the heart and evaluate blood flow across the heart’s valves. Available technologies include—
-
Echocardiograms or Transesophageal Echocardiograms (TEEs), which assess the heart’s function; identify the presence of disease of the heart muscle, valves and pericardium, heart tumors, and congenital heart disease; evaluate treatment effectiveness; and monitor valve disease.
-
Dobutamine or Exercise Stress Echocardiograms, which assess stress and activity tolerance; evaluate heart and valve function; evaluate treatment effectiveness; and determine the need for further testing.
Advanced Imaging Technologies. State-of-the-art imaging technologies enable cardiac specialists to effectively evaluate the function and viability of the heart, including the pumping function of the ventricles; adequacy of blood flow to the heart; and damage to the heart following a heart attack. Available technologies include—
-
Multigated Acquisition Scans (MUGA)
-
Stress Perfusion Scans
-
Thallium Exercise Stress Tests
-
Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
-
Single Projection Emitted Computed Tomography (SPECT)
-
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
-
Cardiac Computed Tomography (Cardiac CT)
-
Chest X-ray
-
Coronary Computed Tomography Angiogram
In addition, unique software enables specialists to blend images from MRI, CT, PET and SPECT to enhance diagnostic capabilities and improve the ability to analyze and measure changes in multiple images over time. Furthermore, physicians affiliated with Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center have access to real-time viewing of CT, MRI and PET images and patient reports through a picture archiving and communication system (PACS). This system dramatically enhances physician-to-physician communication, and even provides opportunities for on line consults for examinations in progress.
Compassionate Care
With a solid commitment to provide clinically excellent cardiovascular care in a manner that compassionately respects the unique needs and preferences of each of our patients, the heart specialists at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center, remain at the forefront of cardiology in the San Fernando Valley. For more information about our physicians and available treatments, call 1-888-HEALING (1-888-432-5464).
|
