The first step in determining the best course of treatment is, of course, an accurate evaluation of the patient’s condition. The Cardiodiagnostic Department at MidState includes a state-of-the-art cardiac, vascular, and neurological testing suite. With highly specialized equipment and expertise, our Cardiac Team can perform a total of 15 tests to ensure the most efficient information before, during, and after treatment.

Cardiac Tests

ECG
In this test, electrodes are placed on the patient’s arms, legs and chest to record overall electrical activity of the heart.

24-Hour Holter Monitor
This non-invasive test provides longer-term information on the heart’s activity. Electrodes are placed on the patient’s chest and attached to a portable monitor, which records the heartbeat for a 24-hour period. Patients are required to keep a diary of their activities and symptoms during this time.

2-D Echocardiogram/Color Flow Doppler
When an image of the heart is required, this non-invasive test uses ultrasound to create real-time images for physician review.

Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE)
This procedure also uses ultrasound to examine the heart. Unlike an echocardiogram, a TEE is done from inside the esophagus (the tube leading from the mouth to the stomach).

Standard Stress Test
The Stress Test measures the impact of exercise on the heart. As the patient walks on a treadmill, ECGs monitor heart functions and a blood pressure cuff measures blood pressure. Monitoring continues after exercising during resting phase.

Stress Echo Test
This test is similar to a Standard Stress Test, with additional information provided by ultrasound images of the heart, recorded both before and immediately after exercising.

Nuclear Stress Tests
This test measures impact of exercise on the heart using an isotope that is injected into the body. The imaging portion of the test is conducted in radiology, 1 to 2 hours after exercise has stopped. Another image is taken that day or the next, while at rest.

Adenosine/Nuclear Stress Test
This test is similar to the Nuclear Stress Test, but instead of exercising, the patient is injected with the medication, Adenosine. Imaging takes place 1 to 2 hours after the Adenosine has been administered. An image is also obtained prior to the test, for comparative purposes.

Dobutamine/Nuclear Stress Test
Similar in nature to the Adenosine/Nuclear Stress Test, this test uses a different medication, Dobutamine.

Dobutamine Stress Echo Test
This test uses the medication Dobutamine, as well as ultrasound waves, to measure and evaluate the impact of stress on the heart. Dobutamine is introduced via intravenous, while ECG and blood pressure measurements, and echocardiogram images are taken.

Vascular Tests

Pulse Volume Recording (PVR)
PVR testing is done to evaluate the function of the arteries in a patient’s arms and/or legs. During this test, a technician feels the pulses in the patient’s limbs and places special blood pressure cuffs around the area(s) being tested.

Neurological Tests

EEG
In this test, 21 electrodes are positioned on key locations of the patient’s head. The electrodes measure the brain’s electrical activity, which is recorded in a graphic printout for physician review.

Sleep-Deprived EEG
This procedure is identical to an EEG, except that measurements are taken while the patient sleeps.

EMG
This is an electrical nerve and muscle test performed by a neurologist. The patient may experience some mild discomfort during the test.