Diagnostic Services
Outpatient Screenings
The Heart Center at Anaheim Regional Medical Center offers our patients
outpatient screenings. Many of the diagnostic tests listed below can be
done on an outpatient basis. For more information about our services,
please contact the Cardiology Department at (714) 999-3951.
Angiogram
An angiogram allows your clinician to view the blood vessels or chambers
within your heart.
- A catheter (a very small tube) will be inserted into a blood vessel in
your upper thigh or into your arm.
- Once the tube is inserted, a special dye will be injected into the catheter.
- This fluid is visible on X-ray pictures, known as angiograms.
Cardiac Catheterization
A cardiac catheterization, also known as a coronary angiogram, refers to
a test that assesses the blood flow within the arteries that supply blood
to your heart.
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Cardiac catheterization will:
- Look specifically at blood flow and blood pressure within the chambers
of the heart
- Assess how well heart valves work
- Determine if there are any abnormalities within the heart itself
If a cardiac catheterization shows that you have coronary artery disease,
it is possible to determine an exact location of where there is a concentration
of plaque (calcium deposits that block blood from flowing through blood vessels).
Echocardiogram (Echo)
An echocardiogram is an imaging test that uses sound waves to check the
heart function and anatomy. It is a valuable diagnostic tool to provide
information on the heart size, wall thickness, and pumping ability. The
echocardiogram identifies structure, thickness, and movement of each heart
valve. It helps determine if the valve is normal, scarred, thickened,
calcified, or torn. It also assesses artificial heart valve function.
An echocardiogram is useful in the diagnosis of fluid in the pericardium
(the sac that surrounds the heart). The test is extremely safe and takes
approximately 45 minutes or less.
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
An electrocardiogram records the electrical activity of the heart through
small electrode patches that are attached to the skin of your chest, arms,
and legs. An ECG can be used to: assess the rhythm of the heart, diagnose
poor blood flow to the heart (ischemia), diagnose a heart attack, and
evaluate certain abnormalities of the heart.
Electrophysiology Test (EP)
An electrophysiology test is a test that records the electrical activity
within the electrical pathways of the heart. During this assessment, your
physician will reproduce the abnormal heart rhythm, to record and analyze
it. An EP is used to diagnose abnormal heart rhythms because this can
tell a physician where the electrical activity is that is causing an abnormal
heart rhythm. An EP can also help a physician determine the best course
of treatment for the abnormal heart beat.
Endomyocardial Biopsy
This procedure involves removing a small amount of tissue through the use
of a catheter that is able to remove tissue. Tissue from within the internal
lining may be used by your physician for further analysis of the health
of your heart. A biopsy of this nature can help diagnose and treat heart
muscle disorders. It can also indicate rejection of a new heart after
a heart transplant operation.
Holter Monitor
A holter monitor is a machine that is continuously records the heart's
rhythms (like a small portable ECG) and is worn for 24-48 hours. Electrodes
from the monitor are attached to your skin; you are able to go about your
day (except for showering) while the electrodes record your heart rhythm.
A holter monitor may be recommended by physicians for individuals who
may have an abnormal heart rhythm or if your physician suspects ischemia.
Nuclear Imaging
Small amounts of (non-harmful) radioactive material that is injected into
a vein, images can be created that show how blood flows through your heart.
Your physician will be able to see: the size of the chambers within your
heart, how well each chamber pumps and circulates blood, and any muscular
damage to the heart can be detected.
Pacemaker Interrogation
A
pacemaker is a device that is implanted into the chest to help control abnormal
heart rhythms. Electrical pulses are used to prompt the heart to beat
at a normal rate. Pacemakers are used to treat
arrhythmias, or irregular heartbeats. A heartbeat that is faster than normal,
tachycardia, can be treated with the use of a pacemaker;
bradycardia, or a slower than normal heart beat can be treated as well.
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Biventricular Pacemaker (Bi-V)
A
Bi-
Ventricular pacemaker is an implanted device that can stimulate (through
electrical pulses), manage, and coordinate the beating of the right and
left ventricles of the heart (2 of the main chambers of the heart). This
type of a pacemaker is normally used for patients who have congestive
heart failure that is cause by ventricles that beat out of sync.
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Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD)
- An ICD is similar to a pacemaker. Instead of using low-energy electrical
pulses, an ICD can also use high-energy electrical pulses to treat the
most dangerous types of arrhythmias.
Stress Test/Treadmill
An exercise stress test helps the doctor find out how well the heart handles
work. It records the heart rhythm while walking on a treadmill or riding
a stationary bike at a moderate then fast pace. This test helps evaluate
the cause of chest pain. It also evaluates the strength of the heart after
a heart attack or heart surgery. The test can show if the blood supply
is reduced in the arteries that supply the heart. These changes can be
measured on the electrocardiogram while the patient is exercising and
during the recovery phase of the stress test. Small pads called electrodes
are placed on the patient's chest to monitor the heart. The patient
walks slowly on the treadmill and the speed increases in stages. Heart
rate, breathing, blood pressure, and exercise tolerance are monitored
during the test.
A Head-Up Tilt Table
A
tilt-table test is used to find the cause of fainting spells. The test involves being
tilted at different angles (30 to 60 degrees) while lying flat on a bed
for a short period of time, while various machines monitor your blood
pressure, electrical impulses in your heart (as measured by an ECG), and
oxygen levels.