Echocardiography (EK-o-kar-de-OG-rah-fee) is a painless Ultrasound test that shows the size and shape of your heart. It can also show how well your heart's chambers and valves are working. Echo can detect possible blood clots inside the heart, fluid buildup, and problems with the aorta.
Another form of echocardiography done under sedation is Transesophageal echocardiography. TEE uses high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to make detailed pictures of your heart and the arteries that lead to and from it. Unlike a standard echocardiogram, the echo transducer that produces the sound waves for TEE is attached to a thin tube that passes through your mouth, down your throat and into your esophagus. Because the esophagus is so close to the upper chambers of the heart, very clear images of those heart structures and valves can be obtained.
A stress test, sometimes called a treadmill test or exercise test, helps your doctor find out how well your heart handles its workload. As your body works harder during the test, it requires more fuel and your heart has to pump more blood.
For more accurate results, your doctor may add imaging using a radioactive tracer and an imaging machine to create pictures showing the blood flow to your heart. This test is called a nuclear stress test and measures blood flow while you are at rest and are exerting yourself, showing areas with poor blood flow or damage in your heart.
If you are unable to exercise, a short acting chemical called Lexiscan can be used to simulate exercise.
To prepare for this test, you have to fast for 4 hours and avoid all caffeinated beverages, 12 hours before the test. You doctor may also ask you to stop some medications that may interfere with test, the night before.
A Holter is a portable device that continuously records the rhythm of the heart, typically for 24–48 hours, by means of electrodes attached to the chest.
Arterial ultrasound allows us to see the blood transporting arteries to the legs. It uses sound waves at high frequency. In the leg arteries, this test detects blockages and grades the magnitude of these blockages.
Venous Doppler ultrasound is a diagnostic test used to check the circulation in the large veins in the legs (or sometimes the arms). This exam shows any blockage in the veins by a blood clot or “thrombus” formation. It also checks for damaged vein valves causing venous reflux disease.
Carotid (kuh-ROT-id) ultrasound is a safe, painless procedure that uses sound waves to examine the blood flow through the carotid arteries. Your two carotid arteries are located on each side of your neck. They deliver blood from your heart to your brain. Carotid ultrasound tests for blocked or narrowed carotid arteries, which can increase the risk of stroke. The results can help your doctor determine a treatment to lower your stroke risk.
This test is most commonly used to diagnose abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). Early detection of AAA saves lives.
An implantable loop recorder (ILR), also known as an insertable cardiac monitor, is a small device about the size of a USB memory stick that is implanted just under the skin of the chest for longer cardiac monitoring.
A pacemaker is a small device that's placed in the chest or abdomen to help control abnormal heart rhythms. This device uses electrical pulses to prompt the heart to beat at a normal rate. Pacemakers are used to treat arrhythmias (ah-RITH-me-ahs). Arrhythmias are problems with the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat. During an arrhythmia, the heart can beat too fast, too slow, or with an irregular rhythm.
An ICD monitors heart rhythms. If it senses dangerous rhythms, it delivers shocks. This treatment is called defibrillation. An ICD can help control life-threatening arrhythmias, especially those that can cause sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). Most new ICDs can act as both a pacemaker and a defibrillator. Many ICDs also record the heart's electrical patterns when there is an abnormal heartbeat. This can help the doctor plan future treatment.
Carotid angioplasty (kuh-ROT-id AN-jee-o-plas-tee) and stenting are procedures that open clogged arteries to restore blood flow to the brain. They're often performed to treat or prevent strokes.
The carotid arteries are located on each side of your neck. These are the main arteries supplying blood to your brain. They can be clogged with fatty deposits (plaque) that slow or block blood flow to the brain — a condition known as carotid artery disease — which can lead to a stroke.
A coronary angiogram is a procedure which uses X-ray imaging to see the blood vessels of your heart. In general, the test is done to see if there is a blood flow restriction that go to the heart. Coronary angiograms are part of a general category of procedures called catheterizations of the heart (cardiac).
Angioplasty (AN-jee-o-plas-tee) is a procedure used to open clogged heart arteries. It is often combined with the placement of a small wire mesh tube called a stent. The stent helps prop the artery open, decreasing its chance of narrowing again.
In either or both of the carotid arteries in the neck, carotid ultrasound is performed to detect plaque accumulation. The findings will help your doctor prepare your plaque removal procedure and help to avoid a stroke. As it uses harmless sound waves, the test has no risks. They are the same form of sound waves that doctors use inside a pregnant woman to create and record images of a baby. The findings can be used to help physicians prepare care for the accumulation of plaque.
This s a minimally invasive heart procedure to replace a narrowed aortic valve that fails to open properly. This may be a great route who are at high risk of complications with open-heart surgery.
Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is a procedure that involves only minor incisions in the groin to repair the aneurysm by inserting a tube, called a stent-graft, inside the aorta, along with the use of X-ray guidance and specially designed instruments.
Left atrial appendage closure (also known as LAA closure or LAAC) is a minimally invasive procedure that is used to reduce the risk of stroke that comes with atrial fibrillation (also known as Afib or AF.) Atrial fibrillation is a common form of arrhythmia, a condition in which the heart beats out of rhythm. By itself, Afib is usually not life-threatening and can often be successfully managed. For many people, the most dangerous aspect of Afib is its link to stroke. During an Afib episode, blood can collect inside the small portion of the heart known as the left atrial appendage (LAA). If a blood clot forms and then escapes from the LAA, it can travel to the brain and cause a stroke. This is why most people who have Afib take blood-thinning medications that prevent blood clots. For patients who have trouble on these medications, left atrial appendage closure procedures are a newer treatment option that prevents blood (and blood clots) from traveling into and out of the LAA. At young Hearts of Yuma we perform the Watchman And Watchman FLX devices.
Established in 2014, our comprehensive vein clinic treat all venous disease conditions including complex venous insufficiency, stasis and ulcerations in addition to basic spider and bulging varicose veins. We use the latest technologies in diagnosis and interventions. Procedures performed on veins include thermal ablation, vein closure, microplebectomy and sclerotherapy using a multitude of agentsUnder ultrasound guidance.
