Patient Portal

  • EKG_Electrocardiogram
  • endovenous_laser_therapy
  • Event_Monitor
  • Holter_Monitor_LG
  • Implantable_Cardioverter_Defibrillator_Analysis-
  • Nuclear_Stress_Test_LG
  • Pacemaker_Analysis
  • Peripheral_Ultrasound_LG
  • Stress_Echocardiography _LG
  • Treadmill_Stress_Test_LG
  • Carotid_Ultrasound
  • Echocardiogram
  • EECP_Enhanced_External_Counter_Pulsation_LG
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Office Procedures

Electrocardiogram (EKG)

On most of our new patients with cardiac symptoms, EKG is obtained as an essential part of initial evaluation in addition to the comprehensive history and physical examination.

The 12-lead EKG shows a pattern of one's cardiac electrical activity. Via electrodes placed on the chest and limbs, the electrocardiogram displays the patient's heart rhythm and rate, signs of current or old heart attack, and suggestion of structural abnormalities. This test does not require special preparation.

Echocardiogram

Echocardiogram, commonly known as Echo, is a sound wave (ultrasound)-based study which is entirely non-invasive. This is a widely used imaging test that evaluates heart structure and function.

The strength of heart contractility, signs of enlarged or thickened heart chambers, disorders of valves (the usual source of heart murmurs), abnormal fluid collection around the heart, tumors or blood clot in the heart, and congenital defects are among the major data obtained from an echocardiogram. The study takes 20 to 30 minutes and does not require special preparation.

Treadmill Stress Test

Treadmill stress test evaluates for signs of coronary artery disease (CAD), blood pressure and heart rate responses to physical exercise, cardiac arrhythmia, and general fitness status. This test is performed on patients presenting with recent symptoms of possible cardiac cause and on those at risk for developing CAD.

Please do not eat or drink for at least 4 hours before the test. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Check with your doctor which medication(s) may need to be held for the procedure if you are taking medication.

Prior to the test, a medical assistant will place the electrodes and give you the full instruction on what to expect and to do during the stress test. The test duration will vary according to your ability to exercise. You will be informed of the test results within 24 hours.

Please click on the preparation link for details.

Stress Echocardiography

Like treadmill stress test, stress echocardiography (stress echo) also evaluates for signs of coronary artery disease (CAD), blood pressure and heart rate responses to physical exercise, cardiac arrhythmia, and general fitness status. Unlike plain treadmill stress test, however, stress echo is performed with echocardiographic imaging of heart pumping motion, at rest and immediately following exercise. This allows detection of abnormal motion of heart contractility induced by physical exertion, an indication of coronary artery disease. For patients who cannot physically exercise, Dobutamine is used as a stressor agent.

Please do not eat or drink for at least 4 hours before the test. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Check with your doctor which medication(s) may need to be held for the procedure if you are taking medication.

Prior to the test, a medical assistant will place the electrodes and give you the full instruction on what to expect and to do during the stress echo. The test duration will vary according to your ability to exercise. You will be informed of the test results within 24 hours.

Please click on the preparation link for details.

Nuclear Stress Test

Nuclear stress test utilizes nuclear isotope (most commonly Cardiolite) which traces blood flow to the heart. This nuclear tracer in the blood is taken up by heart muscle in proportion to coronary blood flow, i.e., normal uptake if the flow is intact and less uptake if the flow is reduced due to coronary blockage. This blood flow pattern is shown by nuclear camera which scans the small amount of radioactivity emitted by the isotope taken up by heart tissue. Hence the test is primarily designed to detect signs of coronary artery disease. This isotope is well-tolerated by most and is cleared from the body in 24 to 36 hours.

This is carried out in two parts: stress images and resting images. The stress part can be done with treadmill stress test or "chemical" stress test (most commonly Lexiscan or Persantine) if you cannot physically exercise. At peak exercise or following injection of Lexiscan, Cardiolite is injected and the patient is scanned under the nuclear camera. The resting images are also obtained in a similar manner. Once processed, the rest and stress images are arranged side by side for interpretation by a physician.

Please do not eat or drink for at least 4 hours before the test. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Check with your physician which medication(s) may need to be held for the procedure if you are taking medication.

Prior to the test, a medical assistant will place the electrodes and give you the full instruction on what to expect and to do during the test. In most cases, you will be informed of the test results within 24 to 48 hours.

Please click on the preparation link for details.

Carotid Ultrasound

Carotid arteries are the major route of blood supply to the brain. Carotid ultrasound is a commonly used imaging test to assess for the presence and severity of blockage in the carotid arteries. It is a sound wave-based study which is entirely non-invasive. The study takes 20 to 30 minutes and does not require special preparation.

Peripheral Ultrasound

This is a sound wave-based imaging study which assesses for the presence and severity of blockage or blood clot in the peripheral blood vessels, most commonly in leg arteries and veins. It is also used to diagnose significant leakage of superficial veins of legs which cause varicose veins.

At times, it is utilized to evaluate for blockages in the kidney and arm arteries. Peripheral Ultrasound is entirely non-invasive, takes 30 to 45 minutes, and does not require special preparation.

Holter Monitor

Holter Monitor is a heart rhythm recording device that is worn usually for 24 to 48 hours. This is then analyzed and the final report is generated. The test is performed to evaluate for arrhythmia (heart rhythm disturbance) when symptoms such as palpitation, skipped beats, fainting spells, dizziness, and fast or slow heart beats are noted.

This is also commonly performed for atrial fibrillation follow-up. You will be given a diary to record symptoms for correlation with the recorded rhythm. No special preparation is needed for this test.

Event Monitor

Event monitor is a heart rhythm recording device that is worn for up to 30 days. The test is performed to evaluate for arrhythmia (heart rhythm disturbance) when symptoms such as palpitation, skipped beats, fainting, dizziness, and fast or slow heart beats occur. This is also performed for atrial fibrillation follow-up.

When the symptoms occur infrequently, this test may be chosen over Holter monitor in order to capture the suspected arrhythmia. The device we use utilizes integrated Cellular Phone Monitor to automatically transmit the detected arrhythmia to a monitoring center; these EKG rhythm strips are analyzed and if critical, our physician or staff is immediately notified to facilitate prompt treatment for the patient. No special preparation is needed for this test and you can go about your daily activity.

Pacemaker Analysis

Permanent pacemaker is a small battery-powered device that regulates heart beats artificially when your heart is unable to maintain on its own. When the heart is beating too slowly due to electrical conduction disorder, pacemaker is usually considered. It is commonly placed under the skin below collar bone. We provide complete pacemaker analysis and follow-ups to detect device malfunction or battery depletion.

ICD Analysis

Similar to permanent pacemaker, ICD (Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator) is a small battery-operated device that is usually implanted under a collar bone. This is considered when you are at risk for life-threatening arrhythmia (heart rhythm disturbance) due to underlying conditions such as severely weakened heart pumping function or history of survived cardiac arrest.

ICD is programmed to detect potentially fatal arrhythmias and to deliver electrical shock to the heart as a life-saving measure. We provide complete ICD analysis and follow-ups to detect device malfunction or battery depletion.

EECP

EECP is an entirely non-invasive way of treating patients with disabling symptoms such as frequent chest pain or difficulty in breathing due to severely blocked coronary arteries. When other conventional treatment options such as angioplasty or bypass surgery are limited or technically not feasible, EECP along with proper medication(s) offers significant symptom relief in these patients.

With pressure cuffs wrapped around legs and buttock, it increases blood flow to the heart by sequentially squeezing blood up from lower extremities during the relaxation phase called diastole. It is also believed to enhance pumping function of the heart during the contractile phase called systole. For meaningful benefit, the usual treatment protocol requires 35 one hour sessions.

EVLT

In the last few years, the use of lasers has become an accepted alternative to surgical stripping to treat varicose veins. In endovenous laser therapy (EVLT), a thin laser fiber is inserted into the diseased vein, generally through a small puncture in the leg above where the visual symptoms appear. Laser energy is then delivered via the fiber which causes the diseased vein to close as the fiber is slowly removed. This is an office-based procedure and can usually be performed in approximately one hour. Because there are many veins in the leg, the blood that would have flowed through the closed vein simply reroutes through other healthy veins after the procedure.

The patient is encouraged to walk immediately following the procedure. Please have someone drive you since you will be given a mild sedative and pain medication during the procedure. A detailed instruction sheet will be given to you by our staff when scheduling the procedure.

For further information, please go to: www.treatveins.com