Imaging

Echocardiography

  • Echocardiogram

    • Ultrasound of the heart performed by moving a probe across the surface of the chest with the aid of a gel

    • Evaluates the heart walls and valves

    • Gives an estimate of the pumping strength of the heart

    • No prep necessary

  • Stress Echocardiogram

    • Echo images of the heart before and after a stress test, looking for differences between the two sets of pictures

    • The stress portion may be performed with a treadmill or bicycle

    • Please wear comfortable clothing and tennis shoes

    • No prep necessary

Vascular

  • Ultrasound performed by moving a probe across the surface of the body with the aid of a gel

  • Types of Vascular Imaging: 

    • Abdominal Aorta – evaluates blood flow of the large artery that runs through the abdomen and rules out an aneurysm

    • Carotid Doppler – evaluates blood flow of the arteries in the neck

    • Upper Arterial (BRI) – evaluates blood flow of the arteries in the arms

    • Lower Arterial (ABI) – evaluates blood flow of the arteries in the legs

    • Venous Doppler – evaluates blood flow of the veins in the legs and rules out blood clots

    • Renal Ultrasound – pictures of the kidneys and blood flow to the kidneys

    • Allen’s test – evaluates the radial artery in the wrist for radial Catheterization

  • Special prep:

    • For Abdominal Aorta ONLY – patient must be without food for at least 4 hours

    • For Renal Ultrasound ONLY – patients should drink numerous glasses of water before the test so that they will be well-hydrated, making images better

Nuclear

  • Cardiolite Stress Test

    • Evaluation for heart vessel blockage

    • Two sets of images with a stress test in between

    • Stress test portion may be performed on a treadmill or with patient given an IV stress chemical

    • May be ordered as a one-day or two-day test

    • Special prep:
      ⁃ NO CAFFEINE for 12 hours before test, including decaf drinks and chocolate
      ⁃ Other instructions will be given when the test is scheduled

  • MUGA Scan

    • The most accurate way to measure the heart’s pumping function

    • Blood is drawn, tagged to a tracer, then given back to patient

    • Two sets of images are performed

    • No prep necessary