Cardiac Catheterization- This procedure is a sophisticated, highly specialized x-ray procedure in which soft plastic tubes (catheters) are positioned at the base of the heart. A contrast dye is injected through these tubes and when x-rayed, the chambers and coronary arteries are visualized. The doctor usually threads the catheter through the femoral artery in the leg. The catheterization procedure is performed by a team of highly specialized doctors, nurses and technicians and provides very specific information. If heart disease is present, the catheterization indicates the exact extent of the blockage in the coronary arteries. It will also help the physician determine the strength of the heart muscle and identify damage or weakened areas.

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Cardiac Nuclear Testing- Nuclear scans are painless studies performed in the office. They are intended to evaluate the function of the heart muscle and/or the blood flow to the heart muscle. A very small, safe amount of radioactive material (isotope) is injected into the blood stream. As the isotope travels to the heart, a special camera records the radioactivity in the form of images which are stored in a computer. There are 3 types of Cardiac Nuclear Testing: 
Exercise Test with Nuclear Imaging, Pharmacologic Stress Test with Nuclear Imaging, and
T1-201 Viability Study        
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Chest X-rays- The chest x-ray shows the heart size and shape and disease in your lungs or other chest structures.

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Echocardiography- This test uses sound waves to evaluate your heart muscle and the valves that direct blood flow inside of your heart. The size and strength of your heart muscle can be determined from the moving images. The cardiac Doppler reveals the speed and direction of blood flow within the heart. It is helpful in evaluating valve function. Doppler uses sound waves, which reflect off the moving red blood cells within the heart chambers. Color flow mapping is done in conjunction with the echo and Doppler tests. It shows the speed and direction of blood flow but the images are in color. The color allows the technologist to "map" abnormalities in the flood flow.

 By the use of high frequency sound waves, the dynamic aspects of valve motion, atrial and ventricular chamber size and heart wall motion can be obtained by simply placing a transducer (wave emitter) on your chest. There is no discomfort or abnormal sensation with this test.

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Electrocardiography- The EKG or ECG is a measurement of the electrical activity of your heart. It provides information about your heart rhythm and may also detect disease processes that exist, such as a scar from an old myocardial infarction or enlargement of the heart muscle.

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Electrophysiologic Testing- Electrophisiology (EP) is the study of the electrical conduction of the heart beat through the heart. Some patients have Supraventricular Tachycardias (SVTs), which may be treated with a Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA) for a permanent cure. Other patients have Ventricular Tachycardia (VT), and may be placed on medication to control heart rate and studied again, or may get an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) implanted. Certain patients may have Permanent Pacemakers (PPMs) implanted in the EP lab. The recovery from these procedures is generally just a few hours with very little discomfort.

Your doctor may order an Electrical Cardioversion, which is an attempt to restore normal heart rhythm with the use of electrical current. Post Electrical Cardioversion Home Instructions.

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Event Monitoring- Event monitors are special recorders which can be worn for many days. They are applied and removed by the patient. When symptoms such as dizziness or irregular heart beats occur, the patient presses a button which activates a recording of the heart rhythm. This information can be transmitted over the telephone to the doctor's office. This type of testing is especially useful when symptoms are rare, or when they could not be recorded with a Holter Monitor.

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Exercise Stress Test- A stress test is a very useful screening procedure that is conducted while you exercise. It measures how well your heart functions under the stress of physical activity. Progressive exercise increases the heart's demand for blood and oxygen. The stress test provides more specific information than a resting electrocardiogram (EKG) about how your heart and coronary arteries are functioning.

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Holter Monitoring- A special tape recorder is worn  24 - 48 hours. It records each heartbeat for that period. It is particularly helpful in evaluating patients suspected of having abnormal heart rhythms or who have symptoms such as dizziness and/or fainting.  See Event Monitoring.

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Imatron Electron Beam Tomagraphy (EBT) Scanner-The Imatron EBT Scanner is the state of the art detection technique for identifying coronary artery calcification. Coronary artery calcification is the best screening test for detecting early coronary artery disease before it is symptomatic or detectable by other techniques, such as exercise testing, nuclear, or echocardiographic studies. Coronary artery calcium screening for coronary artery disease may become the equivalent of mammography for early detection of breast cancer. For the first time, cardiologists are able to identify coronary artery disease at its earliest stage. This will allow us to institute risk factor and lifestyle therapy and hopefully prevent progression of coronary artery disease. This test is an exciting new breakthrough in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease. The test is painless with minimal inconvenience and can be performed quickly; the results are very specific for coronary artery disease. For more information www.HeartscanIndiana.com or call 317-583-5151 or 866-432-7830 for more information or to schedule.

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Rhythm Testing- This is a test to determine if your heart rate is too fast, too slow or irregular. This test can be used to determine whether fainting, dizziness or other symptoms are caused by an irregular heart rhythm. These tests are used to aid in prescribing treatment or to evaluate the effectiveness of medication. See Event Monitoring.

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Stress Echocardiogram-This procedure is performed to evaluate your heart muscle performance with exercise. It combines ultrasound images of the heart with walking on a treadmill. EKG patches will be applied to your chest which will monitor your heart rate and rhythm during the procedure.

A Pharmacological Stress Test could also be used for those persons not able to walk on the treadmill. This test would include an IV with an agent that increases your heart rate to determine your heart's ability to function under stress.

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Tilt Table Testing- The Tilt Table test  is a specialized test to assess the hemodynamic stability of your body in different positions-supine (lying flat), and tilted (standing upright at an 80 degree angle). The different responses of your blood pressure, heart rate and heart rhythm are logged on a graph every minute, as they are obtained.

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Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE)- The TEE is used when the body shape of an individual or other technical factors limit the capabilities of a traditional echocardiogram. This particular diagnostic technique uses a flexible tube swallowed into the esophagus (food tube) and stomach. The endoscopic tube safely transmits sound waves and enables ultrasonic images of the heart to be obtained and displayed on a television screen. Sophisticated high technology equipment is utilized in this type of cardiac ultrasound testing, which is performed by a highly trained cardiologist. Fasting is required prior to the exam and sedation is usually utilized during the test. The pictures obtained from a TEE test are much clearer than with traditional echocardiography.