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These procedure instructions are provided for your convenience. If there are differences between the procedure instructions given here and the ones given you by your doctor, please follow your doctor’s orders.
If you don’t see your procedure listed here, please contact the physician who ordered the procedure for instructions.
Adenoscan Stress Test
BioZ
Cardiolite Stress Test
Dobutamine Stress Test
EEG
EKG
ETT
Event Monitor
Holter Monitor
Stress Echocardiogram
Tilt Table Testing
Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE)
Adenoscan Stress Test
This adenoscan stress test for which you have been scheduled is a safe, non-invasive technique, which will help your physician further evaluate your cardiac status. As the testing procedure involves several separate steps, please expect to be in the hospital area for approximately 2-3 hours to complete the test. This is a 2 day test.
Prior to the start of the test, an IV will be placed in your hand or arm to allow for the infusion of the medication and the injection of the radio-isotope. A nurse will be in attendance and your EKG and Blood Pressure are monitored and recorded at regular intervals.
Following the infusion, you will have diagnostic imaging of your heart within the nuclear medicine department. This part of the exam may take about 30-45 minutes.
• Please bring your Doctor’s orders
• Do not eat or drink 6 hours prior to the test. All caffeine and decaf beverages should be omitted prior to testing for 24 hours.
• The nurse will be calling you to review medications and any special directions for the test.
• Please bring a list of your medications to your appointment.
• Please call 24 hours in advance if you are unable to keep appointment.
*Please note the nuclear camera has a 375 lb weight limit*
Bio Z
A Bio Z test is ordered to assist your doctor with a noninvasive measurement of your fluid status and the amount of blood being ejected with each heart beat.
Four electrodes will be placed on your neck and chest, and a brief reading will be taken. The test takes approximately 15 minutes. There are no special preparations for this test.
Cardiolite Stress Test
This cardiolite stress test for which you have been scheduled is a safe, non-invasive technique which will help your physician further evaluate your cardiac status. As the testing procedure involves several separate steps, please expect to be in the hospital area for approximately 2 hours to complete the test. This is a 2 day test.
Prior to the start of the test, an I.V. will be placed in your hand or arm to allow for the injection of the radio-isotope. A nurse will be in attendance and your EKG and Blood Pressure are monitored and recorded at regular intervals.
Following this test you will go to the Nuclear Medicine Department for diagnostic imaging of your heart. This part of the exam may take about 30-45 minutes.
• Please bring your Doctor’s orders
• Do not eat or drink 6 hours prior to the test. All caffeine and decaf beverages should be omitted prior to testing for 24 hours
• The nurse will be calling you to review medications and any special directions for the test
• Please bring a list of your medications to your appointment
• Please call 24 hours in advance if you are unable to keep appointment.
*Please note the nuclear camera has a 375 lb weight limit*
Dobutamine Stress Test
This dobutamine stress test for which you have been scheduled is a safe, non-invasive technique which will help your physician further evaluate your cardiac status. As the testing procedure involves several separate steps, please expect to be in the hospital area for approximately 2-3 hours to complete the test. This is a 2 day test.
Prior to the start of the test, an I.V. will be placed in your hand or arm to allow for the infusion of the medication and the injection of the radio-isotope. A nurse will be in attendance and your EKG and Blood Pressure are monitored and recorded at regular intervals.
Following this test you will go to the Nuclear Medicine Department for diagnostic imaging of your heart. This part of the exam may take about 30-45 minutes.
• Please bring your Doctor’s orders
• Do not eat or drink 6 hours prior to the test. All caffeine and decaf beverages should be omitted prior to testing for 24 hours.
• The nurse will be calling you to review medications and any special directions for the test.
• Please bring a list of your medications to your appointment.
• Please call 24 hours in advance if you are unable to keep appointment.
*Please note the nuclear camera has a 375 lb weight limit*
EEG
EEG stands for electroencephalogram. It is a test which records the patterns of electrical changes, both normal and abnormal, from millions of nerve cells in the brain.
Indications:
• Used as an aid in diagnosing epilepsy
• To evaluate patients with seizure disorders
• To evaluate syncope
Preparation:
• You should bring a driver, as you will need to be sleep deprived.
• Take all medications as usual, and eat a light meal just before coming in for your exam.
• Hair should be clean and dry.
Procedure:
Several electrodes will be placed on your head. The electrodes are then attached to the EEG machine. The machine records activity. You may be asked to open and close your eyes several times, take some deep breaths, and have a flashing light (photic light) flashed in front of you. You will be asked to lie quietly or even sleep during the exam if possible.
The exam will take approximately 2hours to complete.
EKG
Purpose: Test is used for pre-op clearance, typical or atypical chest pain & other reasons as indicated by your physician.
Test Preparation:
• A doctor’s order is required for this test. You must bring it with you. Otherwise, the test may have to be rescheduled or delayed. A faxed order
is acceptable.
• Wear clothes that allow easy access to your chest
• No prep is required
• Walk-ins are welcomed 7am to 4:00pm
The test itself takes approximately 15 minutes. Allow more time for prep
and paperwork.
ETT: Exercise Stress Test
Purpose: An exercise stress test helps diagnose coronary artery disease in patients and helps identify areas of the heart that lack an adequate
blood supply.
Test Preparation:
• A doctor’s order is required for this test. You must bring it with you. Otherwise, the test may have to be rescheduled or delayed. A faxed order is acceptable. Please call the department prior to the exam to verify that we have received it.
• Wear comfortable pants and shoes or sneakers. Women should wear
a bra.
• Nothing to eat or drink 2 hours before your test. No caffeine for 24 hours.
• You will be connected to a machine to monitor your heart rate and blood pressure while walking on a treadmill.
• During your stress test, a nurse or tech will assist the physician with your blood pressure while you are on the treadmill.
• After the treadmill is finished your heart rate and blood pressure will be monitored for another 5 or 6 minutes.
• The testing physician will dictate your report and we will send your primary physician the report.
The test itself takes approximately one hour. Allow more time for prep
and paperwork.
Event Monitor
An event monitor is a small device about the size of a deck of cards that is designed to record the heart’s rhythm. An event monitor only records a heart rhythm when you feel symptoms and then push a button on the
event monitor.
Event monitoring is used to observe the heart’s rhythm at specific times. In general, it is used when somebody feels palpitations (fast heart rhythms or skipping beats). The event monitor allows the doctor to see if there is anything unusual about the heart rhythm at the times that you are feeling those symptoms.
Procedure:
The event monitor may come with a shoulder strap or belt clip so you can carry it around as you go through a normal day. Two ECG wires are attached to the chest with stickers to allow the monitor to read tiny electrical signals from the heart. When you feel a symptom, such as chest pain, dizziness or heart palpitations, you push a button on the event monitor recorder. The device records a “snapshot” of your heart rhythm for a minute or two. You will not feel anything from the device while it’s recording. Later, a doctor will look at the recording to tell your primary doctor if you are having any kind of arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm).
You will come to CPH and a nurse or Cardiac Tech will apply the monitor and explain the procedure. This will take approximately 30 minutes. You will wear the monitor for 30 days. You are able to remove the monitor daily to take a shower or bath.
Holter Monitor
A Holter monitor is a continuous tape recording of your heart rhythm for either 24 or 48 hours. While wearing the monitor you should carry on your regular daily activities. You will be asked to keep a diary of your activities and any symptoms you may have.
You will not be able to shower while wearing the monitor. At the end of your test you will return the monitor and diary to the Cardiac Imaging department.
Procedure:
Seven electrodes will be placed on areas of your chest and back. The Holter is placed in a pouch and is worn under your shirt.
The set-up of the monitor takes about 20-30 minutes.
Stress Echocardiogram
For this test you will be required to exercise on a treadmill with a physician and specially trained personnel in attendance, while your EKG and Blood Pressure are monitored and recorded at regular intervals.
*Please plan to be in the department for at least 1 ½ hours*
To insure that your examination provides the maximum results, please follow the instructions below:
• A requisition from the ordering physician is required
• Wear suitable exercise clothing and comfortable walking shoes
or sneakers.
• A light breakfast at least 2 hours prior to your test is allowed. All caffeine and decaf beverages should be omitted prior to testing for 24 hours. Smoking should be omitted for at least 6 hours prior to testing.
• Please bring a list of your medications with you
• If you are pregnant, or think that you may be, please call us. This test may not be performed in this instance
• Please call us 24 hours in advance if you cannot keep this appointment.
* Please not a 400 lb weight limit*
Tilt Table Testing
Tilt table testing is used to evaluate syncope or near syncope (fainting).
• If you are pregnant, or think that you might be, please call us. This test may not be performed in this instance.
• You must have a doctor’s order.
• You must fast 6 hours before the test and hold caffeine or decaf drink for 24 hours.
• A nurse from the Cardiology Department will be contacting you regarding your medicines and instructions.
• You will be connected to heart monitor and blood pressure cuff during the test. Your vital signs will be taken regularly during the procedure which may last 1 ½ to 2 hours.
*Please note there is a weight limit of 275 lbs.*
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