Michigan Heart Group's Nuclear Medicine Department is
accredited by the Intersocietial Commission for the
Accreditation of Nuclear Medicine Laboratories (ICANL). the
ICANL accreditation demonstrates our commitment to quality
patient care and diagnostic evaluations. Accreditation is not
yet required for insurance reimbursement. However, our
laboratory felt the importance of the accreditation should be
addressed and attained before it is required.
Ultrasounds:
Ultrasounds use high-frequency sound waves above the range of
human hearing to observe and evaluate areas of the body. These
sound waves are capable of distinguishing between forms and can
show motion such as the heart beating or blood flowing through
arteries and veins. Ultrasounds are not X- rays. The technician
will use a transducer placed on the part of the body your
physician wants evaluated. This may include your heart chambers,
valves or muscle and the blood vessels in your legs, arms, neck
or abdomen. Sound waves reflect off the tissue structure sending
information back to the transducer. This information is
converted into images on a screen. The technician obtains a
series of images by positioning the transducer at different
angles to observe different parts of the structure. A video tape
is made for your physician to review. Specific instructions for
each test can be viewed by clicking on each test name below:
Echocardiogram (cardiac ultrasound)
The purpose of an echocardiogram is so your physician can
learn about your heart's size, shape, movement, and
surrounding structures, such as valves and chambers. This
test is not painful and will last approximately 30 minutes.
The ultrasound uses sound waves to produce images of your
heart and its structures that your physician will view on a
video tape.
Peripheral Vascular Ultrasound
This type of ultrasound refers to the arteries and veins
in the neck (the carotids), the arteries and veins in the
arms and legs (upper and lower extremities), and the
abdominal aortic artery in the abdomen. A peripheral
vascular ultrasound will examine blood flow, areas of
stenosis (narrowing in arteries) or blood clots in veins.
Pulse Volume Recording (PVR)
This is a noninvasive test that uses blood pressure cuffs
to take blood pressure readings at various sites along your
legs. This test is ordered to evaluate any leg pain that may
be caused by decreased blood flow and is used as a screening
tool. This test is often paired with an ultrasound because
the results compliment each other to give a more complete
view of your veins and arteries.
Heart
Monitoring:
Michigan Heart Group utilizes two types of heart
monitors to evaluate irregularities in heart rhythm. The
24-hour and 48-hour monitor are used to track each heartbeat a
person has for a continuous 24 or 48 hours. The tape is analyzed
to determine if your heart is beating irregularly, too fast, or
too slow. A patient activated heart monitor can be worn for
weeks at a time. This monitor is activated by the patient when a
symptom occurs and the heart's rhythm is recorded for a short
period of time.
Cardiac Catheterization
(Angiography):
The Purpose of a Cardiac Catheterization
A cardiac catheterization is a common procedure designed to
aid your cardiologist in the diagnosis of your heart problem. A
small plastic catheter is temporarily placed within your
circulatory system in order to asses artery patency, measure the
strength of the heart, and measure heart pressures. If a heart
condition is detected your cardiologist will know whether
medications, angioplasty, or cardiac surgery should be
recommended.
If you have been experiencing symptoms of heart disease or
have had an abnormal test result, your cardiologist may want to
further evaluate your cardiac anatomy to determine the cause. A
cardiac catheterization is the most accurate test to detect the
presence of coronary artery disease (blockages) and further
indicate which arteries have been narrowed by atherosclerosis.
The catheterization process also examines leaking or stenosed
heart valves, the pumping strength of the heart, and looks for
aneurysms and/or heart birth defects. This will help your
cardiologist and family doctor determine the best course of
action to be taken.
What You Can Expect to Experience
You will be given a medication to help you relax prior to
the procedure. You will not be put to sleep. The insertion
site (usually the right leg) will be shaved and numbed with
local anesthetic. Your cardiologist will then gently guide a
small flexible catheter into your artery, to your aorta, and
into the coronary arteries. You will not feel the catheter
move toward your heart. A flouroscope camera (a type of
X-ray) and a dye will be used to visualize your coronary
arteries and heart muscle. You may be asked to cough or hold
your breath while your cardiologist records pictures of your
heart. A slight flushing feeling may come over you as the
pictures are taken. The procedure will last approximately 30
minutes.
When the cardiologist has finished, the catheter will be
removed and pressure will be applied for several minutes to
prevent bleeding. You will be asked to remain in the
hospital for a few hours after the catheterization. A
sandbag may be placed over the catheter site for up to 3
hours. You will usually go home the same day you were
admitted. Someone should drive you home after the procedure.
Continue to monitor your insertion site at home and phone
your cardiologist if bleeding, discomfort, or numbness
occurs or if bruising or swelling increases.
Peripheral Vascular
Angiography:
A vascular angiogram, also known as an arteriogram, is
a diagnostic test that provides your physician with a roadmap to
the blockages in your peripheral arteries. For a diagram of the
peripheral arteries click below here-
Diagram of Peripheral Arteries.
Peripheral arteries may include any of the following:
