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SPECIAL RECOGNITION:
In January 2001, Michigan Cardiology, P.C. was granted accreditation by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Nuclear Medicine Laboratories (ICANL). Accreditation status signifies that the facility has been reviewed by an independent agency that recognizes the laboratory's commitment to quality testing for the diagnosis of heart disease.
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TESTS We Perform:
Cardiolite Stress Test
Adenosine Cardiolite Stress Test
Dobutamine Cardiolite Stress Test
Echocardiogram
Electrocardiogram (EKG)
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PROCEDURES We Perform:
Cardioversion
Catheterization
Stent
Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE)
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TESTING:
TESTING is completed on two separate days. Plan to spend 2-3 hours at the office on the day of your test, and possibly 2-3 hours on the second day of testing if follow-up imaging is required. If you live more than 50 miles from the office, please call our office to schedule a SAME DAY PROCEDURE.
CARDIOLITE Stress Test
A CARDIOLITE Stress Test allows the physician to compare the amount of blood flowing through the heart muscle during stress and at rest. The technologist will inform you if the exercise or rest portion of the study will be done first, and whether the entire exam can be completed in one day or on two separate days.
Several small pads called electrodes will be placed on your chest. These pads will be connected to an electrocardiograph (EKG) monitor so that your heart rhythm can be watched closely throughout the exercise portion of the test. An intravenous (IV) line will be placed in your arm. This line will be used to inject CARDIOLITE into your bloodstream during exercise. The IV line will be removed soon after the test is completed.
A nuclear medicine exam with CARDIOLITE involves the injection of a small amount of radioactive material, which is cleared from your body by natural processes. The amount of radiation you will be exposed to is comparable to that of a chest x-ray.
You will exercise by walking on a moving belt, called a treadmill. It will move very slowly at first, then increase in speed. As you exercise longer and harder, your heart rate and blood pressure will rise. This is normal and they will be monitored along with your EKG.
You will be encouraged to continually exercise throughout the stress exam. If you experience any unusual symptoms at any time, such as lightheadedness, immediately tell the individual monitoring the test. Adjustments will be made to the exercise test, depending on your symptoms, blood pressure, EKG, or degree of fatigue. To increase the effectiveness of the test, it is important to exercise as long as you are able.
CARDIOLITE will be injected through the IV line approximately one minute before the end of exercise and is immediately carried to the heart by the blood.
We will then ask you to go out to lunch, and eat a fatty meal. This improves the quality of our pictures.
When you return, approximately one hour after this injection, you will be asked to lie flat on an imaging table. This is equipped with a special camera that can detect radiation visualizing the CARDIOLITE in your heart. The technologist will be taking pictures with the camera positioned close to your chest.
ADENOSINE CARDIOLITE Stress Test
Adenosine CARDIOLITE Stress Test allows the physician to compare the amount of blood flowing through the heart muscle during stress and at rest. This test is used for patients who are unable to walk on a treadmill or complete the treadmill stress test. Adenosine is run through an IV line placed in your arm. The infusion takes approximately eight minutes. During this time, patients will feel their heart pounding, just as if they were exercising.
During the test, the CARDIOLITE will be administered through your IV. You may briefly notice a metallic taste a few seconds later. Adverse reaction to the CARDIOLITE is extremely rare. The CARDIOLITE administered during the stress exam contains a small amount of radioactivity. The amount is comparable to that of a chest x-ray.
We will then ask you to go out to lunch, and eat a fatty meal. This improves the quality of our pictures.
When you return, approximately one hour after this injection, you will be asked to lie flat on an imaging table. This is equipped with a special camera that can detect radiation visualizing the CARDIOLITE in your heart. The technologist will be taking pictures with the camera positioned close to your chest.
The technologist will schedule your return appointment for the rest portion of the study.
DOBUTAMINE CARDIOLITE Stress Test
Dobutamine CARDIOLITE Stress Test allows the physician to compare the amount of blood flowing through the heart muscle during stress and at rest. This test is used for patients who are unable to walk on a treadmill or complete the treadmill stress test. Dobutamine is run through an IV line placed in your arm. The infusion takes approximately 12 minutes. During this time, the patient will feel their heart pounding just as if they were exercising.
During the test, the CARDIOLITE will be administered through your IV. You may briefly notice a metallic taste a few seconds later. Adverse reaction to the CARDIOLITE is extremely rare. The CARDIOLITE is administered during the stress exam contains a small amount of radioactivity. The amount is comparable to that of a chest x-ray.
We will then ask you to go out to lunch, and eat a fatty meal. This improves the quality of our pictures.
When you return, approximately one hour after this injection, you will be asked to lie flat on an imaging table. This is equipped with a special camera that can detect radiation visualizing the CARDIOLITE in your heart. The technologist will be taking pictures with the camera positioned close to your chest.
PRECAUTIONARY INFORMATION
The CARDIOLITE administered during the tests contains a small amount of radioactivity. The amount of radiation you will be exposed to is comparable to that of a chest x-ray.
If you are pregnant, suspect you may be, or are a nursing mother, discuss this with your doctor before undergoing the procedure.
Adverse patient reaction to CARDIOLITE is rare. A few seconds after injection has occurred, you will notice a metallic taste for a brief moment.
This information is not a substitute for discussion between you and your physician. Consult your physician if you want more information on the testing described. This is not intended to provide complete information.
Echocardiogram
Cardiac ultrasound imaging, a non-invasive diagnostic procedure to visualize valve function and to test for structural abnormalities for congenital heart disease. Also called Doppler.
Electrocardiogram (EKG)
A tracing of the electrical activity of the heart. The tracing is made by a machine that receives electrical signals from sensors placed on the surface of the body.
PROCEDURES:
Cardioversion
A procedure in which a patient's abnormal heart rhythm is converted to normal using either medication or electrical enerygy applied while the patient is sedated or sleeping.
Catheterization
Invasive technique of examining the heart and circulatory system by inserting a small tube, called a catheter, into an artery or vein.
Stent
A procedure in which a blockage in one of the heart arteries is opened using a small metal scaffolding device called a stent.
Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE)
A procedure in which the structures of the heart are visualized using sound waves. The imaging is performed with the device inserted into the patient's esophagus.
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