Non-Invasive Cardiac Diagnostic Center
We offer state-of-the-art non-invasive testing by registered cardiac technologists. This testing includes:
Echocardiograms - This is a non-invasive process of imaging the heart utilizing soundwaves. 0A transducer is placed on the chest, which emits soundwaves. The returning soundwaves are electronically plotted to produce a picture of the heart. This procedure takes approximately one hour.
Transesophageal echocardiography - This is a procedure in which a small ultrasound transducer is passed into the esophagus (the food tube that connects the mouth to the stomach). This procedure is done under medication to provide patient comfort. The ultrasound images are very clear and allow the physician to see blood clots, infections within the heart and any possible holes within the heart. This procedure takes approximately four hours and requires the patient to be fasting and have a driver to take them home after the procedure.
Cardiac stress testing - Some cardiac diseases are easily missed when the patient is at rest. In these cases, problems may become apparent only when the heart is asked to perform at higher workloads. Stress tests evaluate the heart’ s rate, rhythm and blood supply as well as blood pressure response to exercise. Fasting is required and clothing and comfortable walking shoes should be worn. There are several different kinds of stress tests:
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Cardiac stress tests - This test monitors the heart’s response and blood pressure response to exercise. This procedure takes approximately one hour.
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Nuclear stress tests - This test involves imaging the heart at rest and after exercise, utilizing an isotope injected through an IV started in the patient’s arm. After the rest images are obtained the patient exercises on a treadmill or if unable to exercise, medication is used to stress the heart. After exercise stress images are obtained and the two sets of images are compared to see if there is any lack of blood supply to the heart muscle. This procedure takes approximately two and one half-hours.
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Stress echocardiograms - This test involves imaging the heart at rest with soundwaves and then re-imaging the heart immediately after exercising. The rest and exercise images are compared to make sure the heart muscle is contracting vigorously after exercise. This procedure takes approximately one hour.
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Dobutamine stress echocardiograms - This test involves imaging the heart at rest and during drug infusion. Dobutamine is administered through an IV started in the arm. The rate of the infusion is increased to achieve a set heart rate. This procedure is utilized when a person is unable to exercise on a treadmill. The procedure time is approximately two hours.
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Holter monitoring studies with on-site scanning - A series of 7 electrodes are attached to the patient’s chest which are then attached to a recording device that will record the patient’s heart rhythm for 24 hours. You are asked to record all activities and symptoms in a diary. This
requires two appointments. The first appointment will be for approximately 30 minutes with a return appointment 24 hours later which will be for about 10 minutes. After the monitor is removed the technicians scan the heart information and generate a report for the reading cardiologist.
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12-lead Electrocardiograms with on-site interpretation by staff cardiologists - Electrocardiograms are used to monitor the heart’s electrical activity at rest. A computerized EKG cart is used to collect the data, which is then interpreted by a cardiologist. This procedure takes approximately 15 minutes.
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Medical Imaging - You benefit from complete diagnostic imaging services, performed by technologists and nurses averaging more than 20 years of experience.
Procedures offered by our Medical Imaging Department include:
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CV Lab - Two cardiovascular labs featuring state-of-the-art Toshiba biplanes, the first of their kind in the U.S. for adult use.
Diagnostic Imaging
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Conventional x-rays can be performed on all areas of the anatomy on people of any age.
Nuclear Medicine
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Procedures are available using a dual-headed camera. These require an injection of radioisotope tagged for the specific area to be studied.
Cat Scan
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This modality is available using a GE 9800 Quick CT. Procedures may be performed with or without injection of contrast media.
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MRI – The Heart & Vascular Center uses the GE 1.5 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging unit.
HOW TO REACH US:
St. Helena Hospital Cardiovascular Laboratory
10 Woodland Road
St. Helena,
CA 94574
Director: Chuck Adams, RT
