Cardiac Imaging and Diagnostic Testing

A cardiac CT scan is a painless X-ray test that produces 3D pictures of your heart and surrounding arteries. A cardiac CT helps identify and measure the presence of plaque in your arteries.

As part of a comprehensive heart assessment, we often combine a cardiac CT scan with a cardiac MRI. A cardiac MRI produces detailed pictures of your heart using radio wave energy and a strong magnetic field.

An echocardiogram (echo) is a type of ultrasound. This quick, painless test uses sound waves to take pictures of your heart in motion. It's also called transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE). To perform the test, a technician puts gel on your chest and guides a small, handheld device (transducer) over the area. You may also have a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE). Because the esophagus is behind the heart, the TEE provides images you wouldn't be able to see otherwise.

During this painless procedure, we place electrodes on your arms, legs and chest to record the electrical activity of your heart.

During this test, a cardiologist with specialized training in heart rhythm disorders (an electrophysiologist) inserts several thin tubes (catheters) into a vein, usually in the groin, up to your heart. He or she sends electrical pulses through one of the tubes to increase or decrease your heartbeat and may give you medication to see your heart’s response if needed.

A cardiologist performs a heart cath in a specialized area of the hospital called a catheterization laboratory or cath lab. You receive a mild sedating medicine to help you feel comfortable.

During a heart cath, your doctor inserts a long, flexible tube (catheter) through an artery in your groin or wrist. He or she uses X-ray equipment to guide the catheter to your heart and injects contrast dye to take pictures of your heart and coronary arteries.

In some cases, you may need immediate treatment during a heart cath, such as:

• Alcohol septal ablation for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
• Angioplasty and stenting (also called percutaneous coronary intervention or PCI) to open blocked arteries and improve blood flow
• Atherectomy to remove plaque from inside arteries
• Catheter ablation for arrhythmias
• Closing holes in the heart and repairing other congenital heart defects
• Heart valve repair and replacement

Your doctor may ask you to wear a small, portable device to record your heart rhythm. For two to four weeks, you may wear an event monitor, which records your heart rhythm when you activate it. Or your doctor may recommend a Holter monitor, which continuously records your heart rhythm, typically for 24 to 48 hours.

A stress test involves exercise, such as walking on a treadmill or riding a stationary bike. If you're unable to exercise, you'll receive a medication that mimics exercise. Your doctor will look at your heart at rest and while exercising. You may have one or several types of stress tests - ECG (tracking your heart's electrical activity), nuclear (showing how well your blood flows to your heart) and stress echocardiogram (capturing images of your heart’s chambers and valves).

Cardiology

Cardiothoracic Surgery

Imaging Locations

Call 1-800-SENTARA (1-800-736-8272) to learn more.