TEST DESCRIPTION INSTRUCTION ECHO A non-invasive study. An ultrasound study of the heart in motion. 1) Allow approximately 30 minutes for exam. 2) Wear two-piece clothing. STRESS ECHO A non-invasive exercise test which also involves ultrasound pictures (echo of the heart at rest and at exercise). Involves the ability to walk on a treadmill. 1) Allow approximately 1-1/2 hours for exam. 2) Nothing to eat or drink 6 hours before exam. 3) Wear two-piece clothing along with comfortable tennis shoes. 4) Bring current medications or list of names and dosages. DOBUTAMINE STRESS ECHO Similar to stress echo except no treadmill is used. An IV is started and a medication is given called Dobutamine which will gradually increase the heart rate to simulate exercise. 1) Allow approximately 1-1/2 hours for exam. 2) Nothing to eat or drink 6 hours before exam. 3) Wear two-piece clothing. 4) Bring current medications or list of names and dosages. CARTOID ULTRASOUND STUDY A non-invasive exam. An ultrasound of the arteries in the neck to evaluate blood flow to the brain. 1) Allow approximately 30 minutes for exam. VENOUS DOPPLER STUDY A non-invasive exam. An ultrasound of the arteries in the neck to evaluate blood flow to the brain. 1) Allow approximately 30 minutes for exam. PERIPHERAL ARTERIAL DOPPLER STUDY EXERCISE PERIPHERAL ARTERIAL An ultrasound test to examine the blood flow through the arteries of the legs. Part of the exam may involve the use of a treadmill. 1) Allow approximately 30 minutes for exam. EXTERNAL COUNTER- PULSATION (ECP) A treatment that enhances blood flow into the heart muscle. It consists of the inflation and deflation of a series of compression cuffs wrapped around the legs and buttocks. 1) Allow approximately 1 hour for exam. 35 treatments are required. EKG A non-invasive tracing of the heart's electrical activity. 1) Allow approximately 15 minutes for exam. 2) Two-piece clothing preferred. EXERCISE STRESS TEST An exercise test involving walking on treadmill while the speed and incline are gradually increased. 1) Allow approximately 1 hour for exam. 2) Wear two-piece clothing and comfortable tennis shoes. 3) Nothing to eat or drink 6 hours before exam. 4) Bring current medications or list of names and dosages. RESTING MUGA (GATED BLOOD POOL STUDY) An IV imaging agent is given to evaluate how well the heart pumps and how much blood is expelled with each heartbeat. 1) Allow 2 hours for this test. T-WAVE ALTERNANS An exercise test that can involve walking on a treadmill or moving in one place to measure the heart's electrical activity. All patients must not take their beta blockers 2 days prior to test: 1) Allow approximately 1 hour for exam. 2) Wear two-piece clothing and comfortable tennis shoes. 3) Nothing to eat or drink 6 hours before exam. 4) Bring current medications or list of names and dosages. Tenormin Propranolol Metroprolol Normadyne Pindolol Coreg Sectral Visken Corgard Lopressor Atenolol Inderal Toprol   STRESS CARDIOLITE (EXERCISE NUCLEAR STUDY) A stress test accompanied by an IV infusion of an imaging agent which allows a camera to visualize the blood supply to the heart muscle and observe its function before and after exercise. 1) Test will take 3-4 hours 2) Do not drink any beverage that contains caffeine, or decafe beverages, 24 hours prior to test. (Coffee, cola, cocoa, tea, etc.) Do not take medications that contain caffeine, such as Excedrin. 3) Morning of test: You may have toast, juice, and water. Take normal medications ADENOSINE NUCLEAR PERSANTINE NUCLEAR (DIPYRIDAMOLE) DOBUTAMINE NUCLEAR This test is similar to a Stress Cardiolite but no treadmill is used. Adenosine Persantine or Dobutamine arre used to simulate exercise. 4) Be sure to mention if you have a history of asthma or breathing disorders. 5) Do not take any medications that contain theophylline (Theodur) for 48 hours before test. 6) Bathe or shower night before, or morning of test. Deodorant may be worn. No powder, lotions, or body oils. 7) Comfortable, two-piece clothing (allow for EKG hookup). No metal buttons or snaps on shirt, no underwire bras. Tennis shoes are best for walking on treadmill. 8) Please do not bring small children with you on the day of the test, as we do not have accomodations to watch them. 9) Bring current medications or a list of names and dosages. THALLIUM VIABILITY An IV imaging agent is given to allow camera to visualize blood flow to the heart muscle. 1) Images taken approximately 10 minutes, 4 hours and again 24 hours later. 2) No dairy products both days of procedure. 3) Be sure to mention if you have a history of asthma or breating disorders. 4) Do not take any medications that contain theophylline (Theodur) for 48 hours before test. 5) Bring current medications or a list of names and dosages. Hypo-allergenic electrodes used for all tests (No to low skin irritation) 24HR HOLTER RECORDER 48HR HOLTER RECORDER A beeper sized device that records the heart rhythm for a 24 or 48 hour period. Electrodes are placed on the chest while the recorder is worn in a small pouch over the breast bone. 1) Allow 15 minutes for application. 2) Wear two-piece clothing. 3) Monitor must be returned promptly upon completion. EVENT RECORDING A device that records the heart's rhythm. Event recordings are issued for 30 days, and are used when rhythms cannot be recorded at the office with an EKG or happen so infrequently that a 24 hour holter may not be able to pick them up. LOOPING Monitor is worn in a pocket or at the waist while electrodes are placed on the chest. A button is pressed when symptoms occur. Monitor will record a brief period of the heart's rhythm before and after button is pressed. 1) Allow 30 minutes for instructions and hook-up. 2) Wear two-piece clothing, button down top preferred. ©2007 Heart & Vascular Clinic, APM. All rights reserved.