In-Hostpital Diagnostic Tests Available - Cardiology Associates of Fort Lauderdale, P.A.

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In-Hospital Diagnostic Tests Available

Occasionally, your medical evaluation, treatment and care may require certain additional (more invasive) diagnostic and interventional procedures.

We are privileged to have cardiologists specializing in these procedures:

CARDIAC CATH - Cardiac catheterization (sometimes called an angiogram) is a specialized test which is useful in the evaluation of heart disease. The presence or lack of coronary artery disease as well as the specific location and severity of coronary lesions can be determined with a cardiac catheterization. This procedure is able to determine the function of the heart chambers, valves, and other cardiac structures. This test can also measure the different pressures and gradients within the heart. Cardiac catheterization is relatively safe and is typically associated with very low morbidity and mortality.

CORONARY INTERVENTION - This procedure is accomplished by using various techniques for the purpose of reestablishing coronary blood flow. Some of these techniques include PTCA (balloon angioplasty), stents, atherectomy, and rotoblators. These procedures are always preceded by a diagnostic cardiac catheterization.

TRANSESOPHAGEAL ECHO - This type of echocardiogram, also known as TEE, is performed by inserting a small flexible tube with an ultrasound transducer into the esophagus (similar to an endoscopy) after the throat is numbed with a local anesthetic spray and the patient receives mild intravenous sedation. This 15-20 minute examination provides accurate, detailed information on different heart structures.

ABLATION - Ablation destroys (ablates) targeted portions of the heart muscle. Your doctor carefully chooses portions of the heart muscle to treat. Then, your doctor delivers small amounts of energy to these selected areas. This creates lesions (helpful scars) on the heart muscle.

CARDIOVERSION & DEFIBRILLATION - Both cardioversion and defibrillation deliver an electrical shock to the heart. The shock can restore a normal heartbeat. Both types of treatment are used in people who have abnormal heartbeats or heart rhythms, called arrhythmias.

Cardioversion is a lower-energy shock delivered to your heart. Cardioversion can stop a very fast arrhythmia.

Defibrillation is a high-energy shock delivered to your heart. You need this treatment if you have a very fast and chaotic arrhythmia in your heart's lower chambers (ventricles). For instance, defibrillation is needed for arrhythmias like ventricular tachycardia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF). Defibrillation is the only effective treatment for VF. If VF is not treated, it can quickly lead to sudden cardiac death (SCD).

Internal cardioversion is delivered by an implanted device. If you have an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), it can sense a fast arrhythmia. The ICD then delivers a low-energy shock. The shock can stop the arrhythmias and restore a normal heartbeat.

External cardioversion is delivered by an external device. This is a scheduled treatment often used to treat fast arrhythmias in the heart's upper chambers (atria).

DEFIBRILLATOR IMPLANT - An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is a small device that treats abnormal heart rhythms called arrhythmias. Specifically, an ICD treats fast arrhythmias in the heart's lower chambers (ventricles). Two such arrhythmias are ventricular tachycardia (VT) and ventricular fibrillation (VF). An ICD can treat VT and VF and restore your heart to a normal rhythm, so it reduces your risk of sudden cardiac death.

HEART FAILURE DEVICE IMPLANT - A heart failure device, also called a CRT device, treats certain types of heart failure. When the heart's lower chambers (ventricles) pump or contract in an uncoordinated way, it is called dyssynchrony. The CRT device treats dyssynchrony. A device implant is a procedure that uses local numbing. General anesthesia usually is not needed.

PACEMAKER IMPLANT - A pacemaker is a small implanted device that treats abnormal heart rhythms called arrhythmias. Specifically, a pacemaker treats slow arrhythmias called bradycardia. A pacemaker can usually eliminate symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, and dizziness caused by bradycardia.

ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY STUDY - An electrophysiology (EP) study is a test of your heart's electrical system. While an electrocardiogram (ECG) gives an overview of your heart's electrical system, the EP study gives a more in-depth view. The test helps find out details about abnormal heart rhythms, called arrhythmias. The EP study, performed in a hospital, can reveal:

If you have an arrhythmia
The cause of the arrhythmia
Where the arrhythmia begins in the heart
If you are at risk for sudden cardiac arrest (SCA)
The best treatment for an arrhythmia

OTHER - At times, your cardiologist may recommend other types of angiograms to evaluate several arteries in your body like the aorta, renal (kidney) and carotid arteries. Your cardiologist will discuss the specific indications with you.

Cardiology Associates of Fort Lauderdale, P.A.
4725 N. Federal Hwy, Suite #401
The Jim Moran Heart and Vascular Center
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308
Phone: (954) 772-2136
Fax: (954) 772-7156