Procedures and Tests Definitions

This section is designed to educate and familiarize your self with procedures and tests that might be ordered while under the care of River Region Cardiology. If you have any questions about procedures or tests that have been ordered for you, please feel free to contact us at (334) 387-0948.

Noninvasive Procedures

Treadmill Stress Test -- Precisely measures your body's reaction to physical activity in a safe and controlled environment.

Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) -- Monitors electrical activity of the heart, picking up even the slightest, but potentially dangerous abnormalities.

Echocardiogram -- A simple outpatient test that uses a state of the art ultrasound machine that positively identifies problems of the heart valves and muscle function.

Holter Monitoring -- A 24 hour, carry-along heart monitoring system, capable of pinpointing previously difficult-to-detect heart rhythm problems.

Nuclear Imaging -- Scans the heart using a special state of the art digital nuclear camera to visualize the blood flow patterns through the heart muscle for an accurate analysis.

Invasive Procedures

Diagnostic Cardiac Catheterization -- Utilizes a flexible, narrow tube (catheter) inserted through a vein or artery into the heart to withdraw samples of blood and also to measure pressures in the heart chambers and vessels.

Coronary Angiography -- An X-ray of the blood vessels of the heart, which gives us a clear picture of any potential problems.

Interventional procedures

Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA) -- More commonly know as "balloon angioplasty," it's a method of treating the narrowing of a coronary artery by inserting a specialized catheter with a balloon attachment. By inflating the balloon, we are able to open the narrow portion of the artery to restore proper blood flow to the heart.

Intercoronary Stent Deployment -- An implantation technique used to reinforce the wall of a vein or artery and assure its openness.

Intravascular Ultrasound Imaging -- Used to evaluate any potential heart disease or plaque build up.

Endomyocardial Biopsy -- Used to remove some of the heart's tissue for microscopic evaluation.

Temporary of Permanent Pacemaker Insertion -- Used to treat a slow beating heart, by electrically stimulating the heart to contract properly.