Non-invasive Cardiology
The Non-Invasive Cardiovascular Ultrasound Lab at Trinity Medical Center brings together a specially trained group of cardiologists, technologists, and nurses who are focused and dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of all types of cardiac and vascular disorders. All referring physicians will be involved in the treatment decisions and follow-up care of their patients.
Ultrasound is an important diagnostic tool used in the diagnosis and detection of heart and/or blood vessel problems. Your lab visit will consist of a safe non-invasive ultrasound exam. Non-invasive means that most ultrasound procedures do not require the use of needles, dyes, radiation or anesthesia. Ultrasound uses sound wave frequencies too high to be heard by humans as a safe and harmless method to diagnose many medical conditions. A gel will be applied to the skin area of the arms, legs, neck or chest depending on the type of ultrasound test being performed. The gel is hypoallergenic and greaseless.
The ultrasound is the actual record that is obtained by using ultrasound waves to create a picture of the heart or blood vessels. The medical professional who administers the test is highly trained and credentialed to perform the test, read the results, check for clarity and subsequently provide the record to a qualified physician for review and final interpretation.
Some non-invasive tests include:
Echocardiogram (also known as an ECHO): This is the most common type of non-invasive test. Views of the heart are obtained by moving the ultrasound transducer to different locations on your chest or abdominal wall to detect problems related to the heart muscle, blood flow through the heart and diseases of the heart muscle and valves. Ultrasound can also detect blood clots and tumors inside the heart.
Doppler Echocardiogram: This test looks at how blood flows through the heart chambers, heart valves, and blood vessels.
Stress Echocardiogram: During this test, an echocardiogram is done before and after your heart is stressed either by having you exercise or by injecting a medicine that makes your heart beat faster. A stress echocardiogram is usually done to find out if you might have decreased blood flow to your heart (coronary artery disease or CAD).
Carotid Duplex: Test used to evaluate the carotid arteries located in the neck that feed the brain with blood.
Venous Duplex: Test used to evaluate the veins that carry blood to the heart from the legs and arms.
Arterial Duplex: Test used to evaluate the arteries that feed the arms and legs with blood.
Carotid, Venous and Arterial Duplex tests are used to determine decrease blood flow in the vein or artery, due to blockage caused by clots or plaque build-up.
Arterial Physiologic Study: Ultrasound and blood pressure cuffs are used to evaluate the arteries that supply the arms and legs with blood. Several blood pressure cuffs will be placed on your legs and arms. When inflated, the cuffs will provide blood pressure readings and waveforms. This test will locate areas of blockage within the arteries.
Abdominal/Renal Vascular Duplex: Test used to evaluate the blood vessels that bring blood to and away from your abdominal organs and/or kidneys. **Prior to your exam you must fast (nothing by mouth) for 6 hours before your scheduled appointment.
Additional educational materials will be provided to you when you visit the lab for your test. Every effort will be made by our staff to answer questions related to the test. Because a cardiologist must first read and finalize the test, our technologists will not be able to discuss your test results with you. Once your tests has been reviewed and interpreted by a qualified cardiologist, a copy will be sent to your attending physician.
For more information about our Cardiology program click here.
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