Services

Twelve-lead electrocardiography (ECG) determines electrical activity of the heart for evidence of prior myocardial infarction, ischemia, cardiac arrhythmias or alterations in specific time intervals. All results are reviewed by a cardiologist. Services also provided that are limited to ECG Acquisition (without interpretation) and ECG Interpretation (without acquisition).

Brachial Artery Ultrasound Imaging is a method to assess endothelial function by measuring the response to reactive hyperemia after upper arm pressure cuff inflation to suprasystolic pressures. This test is commonly known as a Brachial Artery Reactivity Test (BART). The percent increase in diameter of the artery (i.e., flow-mediated dilatation) and response in systolic flow velocity after cuff deflation represents endothelial-dependent vasodilatation response. Other studies can be also performed after administration of sublingual nitroglycerin for determination of the endothelial-independent response.

Carotid Ultrasound Imaging used B-mode and Doppler imaging to examine the carotid arterial system for evidence of carotid arterial stenosis, atherosclerotic plaque, and intima-media thickness of the carotid arterial wall. A limited study to only evaluate the intima-media thickness is also available.

Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing (CPET), also known as a Maximal VO₂ Uptake Testing, provides an assessment of oxygen uptake (VO₂) during exercise testing and according to a specific protocol. Other cardiopulmonary measurements also can be derived to evaluate functional status. Patients undergoing Maximal VO₂ Uptake Testing are supervised by a physician.

Exercise stress echocardiography incorporates two-dimensional echocardiographic imaging of the left ventricle at rest and immediately after treadmill exercise to assess responses in left ventricular wall motion, left ventricular ejection fraction and volumes. When combined with 12-lead ECG monitoring, two-dimensional echocardiographic imaging improves the sensitivity and specificity for detecting myocardial ischemia compared to Exercise ECG stress testing. A full echocardiogram is performed at rest with quantitative measurements. Specific Doppler measures can be repeated post-exercise to characterize cardiac response to dynamic exercise (e.g., aortic stenosis, hypertrophic cardiomyopathies, and pulmonary hypertension). Other echo-Doppler measurements also can be incorporated by request of investigators. Patients undergoing exercise stress testing are supervised by a physician and a cardiac sonographer.