Angiography

What the Test Does

Angiography is a minimally invasive diagnostic procedure that helps your doctor determine whether you have any blockages in your coronary arteries. During the test, if you are found to have significant blockages in your coronary arteries, the doctor may proceed with balloon angioplasty or a stent implant.

During an angiogram, a thin tube called a catheter is placed into a blood vessel in the groin (femoral artery or vein) or just above the elbow (brachial artery or vein). See a picture of catheter placement in the femoral vein.. The catheter is guided to the area to be studied. Then an iodine dye (contrast material) is injected into the vessel to make the area show clearly on the X-ray pictures. This method is known as conventional or catheter angiogram. The angiogram pictures can be made into regular X-ray films or stored as digital pictures in a computer.

Peripheral Angioplasty

What is a peripheral angiography?

A peripheral angiography is a minimally invasive diagnostic procedure that helps your doctor determine whether you have any blockages in the arteries supplying blood to your legs. It uses a balloon catheter to open the blocked artery from the inside. A stent, a small wire mesh tube, is generally placed in the artery after angioplasty to help keep it open.

How do I prepare?

• Your doctor will give you instructions about what you can eat or drink during the 24 hours before the test.

• Usually you’ll be asked not to eat or drink anything for 6 to 8 hours before your peripheral angiogram.

• Tell your doctor about any medicines (including over-the-counter, herbs and vitamins) you take. He or she may ask you not to take them before your test. Don’t stop taking your medicines until your doctor tells you to.

• Tell your doctor or nurse if you are allergic to anything, especially iodine, latex or rubber products, medicines like penicillin, or X-ray dye.

• Leave all of your jewelry at home.

• Arrange for someone to drive you home after your angiogram.

• We will provide you with instructions once your test is scheduled.
• If you cannot keep your appointment, please give us 24 hours notice.

Endovascular Stent

What is an Endovascular Stent?

Endovascular repair is a procedure to fix an aortic aneurysm in the abdomen. It's called endovascular because a doctor repairs the aneurysm from the inside of the damaged blood vessel (the aorta).

This procedure is relatively new compared to the traditional open surgery to repair an aneurysm. It is a minimally invasive procedure. Local or general anesthesia might be used.

The doctor will make one or two cuts (incisions) in the groin area. Small flexible tubes, called catheters, are inserted into arteries in the groin area. The doctor puts dye into the arteries. The dye will make your aorta show up on X-ray pictures during the procedure.

Rotational Atherectomy

What is an Rotational Atherectomy?

Atherectomy is a procedure used to open up narrowed coronary arteries to increase blood flow. It might be done if an artery has hard plaque with a lot of calcium. Atherectomy may make it easier for your doctor to place a stent in the artery. Atherectomy can work as well as angioplasty to widen narrowed arteries. Atherectomy might be done along with stenting. This can help keep the artery from narrowing again

Atherectomy involves techniques similar to those used for angioplasty. The difference is that atherectomy uses special tools to remove the plaque buildup from the artery wall. Atherectomy is not done for most people who have angioplasty. But in certain cases, it might help your doctor open up a narrowed artery.

Exercise Echocardiography

What is an Exercise Echocardiography?

An exercise stress test, also known as a treadmill test, helps your doctor assess how well your heart responds to stress. It involves walking on a treadmill while your electrocardiogram, blood pressure and heart rate are being monitored. Depending on your medical indication, an ultrasound of the heart may also be done immediately following the completion of the exercise stress test in order to obtain images of your heart immediately after stress.

How do I prepare?

• Tell your doctor about any medicines (including over-the-counter, herbs and vitamins) you take. He or she may ask you not to take them before the test. May continue all other medications, unless instructed otherwise.
• Do not eat, drink or smoke for two hours before the test.
• Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing and walking shoes with rubber soles. Shorts or sweatpants and jogging or tennis shoes are good choices.
• If you cannot keep your appointment, please give us 24 hours notice.

Carotid Ultrasound

What is an carotid ultrasound?

Also known as a carotid duplex scan. This is a noninvasive test that provides pictures of the insides of your carotid arteries. This test shows whether you have plaque build up in your carotid arteries. A carotid ultrasound uses the same technology that allows physicians to see an unborn baby inside a pregnant mother.

How do I prepare?

This test is simple, noninvasive, and quick. It generally will not include any complications or require any recovery time. As soon as the ultrasound is done, you can return to your normal activities.

Venous Ultrasound

What is a Venous Ultrasound?

This is a noninvasive test that allows doctors to visualize blood flow through major veins in the arms and legs. This test can reveal whether you have any reduced blood flow and/or clots in your veins. A venous ultrasound uses the same technology that allows physicians to see an unborn baby inside a pregnant mother.

How do I prepare?

This test is simple, noninvasive, and quick. It generally will not include any complications or require any recovery time. As soon as the ultrasound is done, you can return to your normal activities.

Abdominal Ultrasound

What is a an Abdominal Ultrasound?

This is a noninvasive test that produces pictures of the abdominal aorta.  The test may help physicians to screen for possible abdominal aortic aneurysms.  An abdominal ultrasound uses the same technology that allows physicians to see an unborn baby inside a pregnant mother.

How do I prepare?

This test is simple, noninvasive, and quick. It generally will not include any complications or require any recovery time. As soon as the ultrasound is done, you can return to your normal activities.

Arterial Ultrasound

What is a Arterial Ultrasound?

More commonly known as an arterial duplex scan or doppler ultrasound. This noninvasive test allows doctors to visualize blood flow through major arteries in the arm and legs. This test can reveal whether you have any reduced blood flow and/or clots in your major arteries. An arterial ultrasound uses the same technology that allows physicians to see an unborn baby inside a pregnant mother.

How do I prepare?

This is a simple and noninvasive test that takes about 30 to 45 minutes long. It generally will not include any complications or require any recovery time. As soon as the ultrasound is done, you can return to your normal activities.

Vein Ablation

What is a Vein Ablation?

Vein ablation is a procedure that closes veins in the legs with reflux or leakage to allow other veins to circulate blood more effectively.  Using ultrasound, a catheter is inserted into the leg’s venous system to locate the diseased vein. Radio frequencies are activated to heat and seal the vein.  Unlike previous vein stripping techniques, this procedure is minimally invasive and requires no recovery time.  Patients with varicose veins, swelling or pain in their legs may be candidates for venous ablation.

How do I prepare?

• If you cannot keep your appointment, please give us 24 hours notice.

Enhanced Counter Pulsation Therapy (ECP)

What the Test Does

Enhanced Counter Pulsation (ECP) therapy is helpful for some people who have angina. Large cuffs, similar to blood pressure cuffs, are put on your legs. The cuffs are inflated and deflated in sync with your heartbeat.

ECP therapy improves the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your heart muscle and helps relieve angina. You typically get 35 1-hour treatments over 7 weeks.