| Diagnostic Tests New and advanced diagnostic tests and tools are constantly being
introduced to further understand the complexity of disease, injury, and congenital or
acquired abnormalities. The following are just a few of the diagnostic tests that have
been used/are being used to further understand and identify cardiovascular disease. For
more specific information, consult your cardiologist or physician.
Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
A test that records the electrical activity of the heart, shows abnormal rhythms
(arrhythmias or dysrhythmias), and detects heart muscle damage.
Signal Average Electrocardiogram (SAE)
A test that is much like an EKG, but takes longer because it records more information.
Stress Test(usually
with ECG; also called treadmill or exercise ECG)
A test that is given while a patient walks on a treadmill to monitor the heart during
exercise. Breathing and blood pressure rates are also monitored. A stress test may be used
to detect coronary artery disease, and/or to determine safe levels of exercise following a
heart attack or heart surgery.
Echocardiogram (also known as echo)
A noninvasive test that uses sound waves to produce a study of the motion of the heart's
chambers and valves. The echo sound waves create an image on the monitor as an ultrasound
transducer is passed over the heart.
Transesophageal Echocardiogram(TEE)
A test in which a small transducer is passed down the esophagus to
provide a clearer image of the heart structure.
Coronary Arteriogram (or Angiogram)
With this procedure, x-rays are taken after a contrast agent is injected into an
artery -- to locate the narrowing, occlusions, and other abnormalities of specific
arteries.
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan
A nuclear scan that gives information about the flow of blood through the coronary
arteries to the heart muscle.
PET F-18 FDG (Fluorodeoxyglucose) Scan
A glucose scan sometimes done immediately after the PET scan to determine if heart muscle
has permanent damage.
Thallium Scans
Resting SPECT Thallium Scan
A nuclear scan given while the patient is at rest that may reveal areas of the heart
muscle that are not getting enough blood.
Exercise Thallium Scan
A nuclear scan given while the patient is exercising that may reveal areas of the heart
muscle that are not getting enough blood.
Persantine Thallium Scan
A nuclear scan given to a patient who is unable to exercise to reveal areas of the heart
muscle that are not getting enough blood.
MUGA Scans
Resting Gated Blood Pool Scan (RGBPS) or
MUGA
A nuclear scan to see how the heart wall moves and how much blood is expelled with each
heart beat, while the patient is at rest.
Exercise Gated Blood Pool Scan or MUGA
A nuclear scan to see how the heart wall moves and how much blood is expelled with each
heart beat, just after the patient has walked on a treadmill or ridden on a stationary
bike.
Resting First Pass
The scan taken while the patient is at rest to measure the percentage of blood going
through the heart with each beat.
Exercise First Pass
The scan taken while the patient is exercising to measure the percentage of blood going
through the heart with each beat.
Holter Monitor
A small, portable, battery-powered ECG machine worn by a patient to record heart beats on
tape over a period of 24-48 hours -- during normal activities. At the end of the time
period, the monitor is returned to the doctor's office so the tape can be read and
evaluated.
Event Recorder
A small, portable, battery-powered machine used by a patient to record ECG over a long
period of time. Patients may keep the recorder for several weeks. Each time symptoms are
experienced, the patient presses a button on the recorder to record the ECG sample. As
soon as possible, this sample is transmitted to the doctor's office by telephone hookup
for evaluation.
Tilt Table Test
A test performed while the patient is connected to ECG and blood pressure monitors and
strapped to a table that tilts in different directions. This test is to determine if the
patient is prone to sudden drops in blood pressure or slow pulse rates.
Electrophysiology Study
A test in which insulated electric catheters are placed inside the heart to study the
heart's electrical system.
Cardiac Catheterization
A test in which a small catheter (hollow tube) is guided through a vein or artery into the
heart. An iodine compound (a colorless liquid "dye") is given through the
catheter, and moving x-ray pictures are made as the dye travels through the heart. This
comprehensive test shows: narrowings in the arteries, outside heart size, inside chamber
size, pumping ability of the heart, ability of the valves to open and close, as well as a
measurement of the pressures within the heart.
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