Patient Services

At University Cardiology we are at the forefront of research and treatment, always staying abreast of the latest discoveries and innovations in the field of cardiology.  Our cardiologists are able to treat a wide range of conditions and offer a number of diagnostic tests and outpatient procedures to provide you with the best possible cardiovascular care.

Conditions | In-office Diagnostic Testing | Outpatient Procedures

We treat a variety of conditions including:

Coronary Heart Disease
Conditions affecting the coronary arteries—the arteries that carry blood to the heart

Hypertension
Persistent high blood pressure that may affect the arterial system

High Cholesterol/Lipid Conditions
Raised levels of total cholesterol in the blood which may affect the artery walls; problems with various forms of fat that flow through the bloodstream

Congestive Heart Failure
Weakened heart muscle

Arrhythmias
Abnormalities in the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat

Cardiomyopathy
Chronic disorders of the heart muscle

Valvular Heart Disease
Conditions affecting one or more of the four valves of the heart

Congenital Heart Disease
Heart defects that have been present since birth

Rheumatic Heart Disease
Condition in which the heart valves have been damaged due to Rheumatic Fever

Miscellaneous Related Heart Conditions
Conditions related to Marphan’s Syndrome, thyroid problems, etc.

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Our in-office diagnostic testing includes the following:

Electrocardiography (EKG)
A non-invasive test during which electrical signals from each heartbeat are transmitted from electrodes on the patient’s skin to a machine that graphs the rhythm and rate of the heartbeat; used to evaluate a number of heart conditions

Radiography
Chest x-ray used to evaluate the lungs, heart, and chest wall for a number of medical conditions

Echocardiography
A non-invasive diagnostic test that uses ultrasound, high-frequency waves to produce images of the heart’s structure and function, including the valves; used to detect and evaluate a myriad of heart conditions and defects

Carotid Ultrasound
A non-invasive diagnostic test that employs high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the carotid arteries; used to diagnose and evaluate blockage in the carotid arteries

Lab Tests
Tests performed in our onsite lab including: heart failure blood tests, electrolytes, lipid profiles, etc.

Stress Testing
Tests used to check for blocked arteries in the heart

• Exercise Treadmill Test
• Nuclear Imaging (Myocardial Perfusion Scan)
  Tests during which a small amount of a radioactive imaging agent is administered to the patient through an IV; the radioactivity aids the physician in detecting and evaluating the extent of coronary artery disease by comparing the blood flow in the heart at rest to the blood flow after stress
  • Treadmill
  • Chemical-Induced
    - Adenosine (medication used to dilate the coronary arteries)
    - Dobutamine (medication that increases heart rate and blood pressure)
• Stress Echo
  • Treadmill
  • Dobutamine

Rate/Rhythm Testing
Tests used to check abnormal heart rate and rhythms that may lead to symptoms

• 24 Hour Holter Monitor
  Electrodes are placed on patient to monitor heart rate and rhythm for continuous 24 hour period
• Event Monitor
  Small monitor used for up to 30 days to record heart rate and rhythm periodically, during occurrence of symptoms
• Loop Recorder *
  Implanted device that records heart rate and rhythm for up to a year
• Electrophysiology Study *
  Tests used to examine the electrical function of the heart to diagnose or further determine arrhythmias; physicians monitor or stimulate the heart with electricity using small catheters inserted into blood vessels surrounding the hear

*These procedures are done in the Cardiac Catheterization Lab of the hospital.

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Our outpatient (Cardiac Catheterization Lab) procedures include the following:

Coronary Angiography/“Heart Cath”
These procedures may be diagnostic or therapeutic and are used to determine the extent of blockage in the arteries; a heart catheterization involves the insertion of a thin tube—a catheter—into an artery to provide information to the physician about blood supply to the heart or other potential heart conditions

Angioplasty/Stent
Angioplasty treatments are designed to reopen the inside of a blocked coronary artery to allow for sustained blood flow to the heart muscle; a stent is a device that may be inserted into an artery to act as a scaffold to prevent the artery from collapse or closure

Pacemaker Implantation
An outpatient procedure during which a pacemaker—a small device used to correct a slow, irregular, or abnormal heartbeat—is inserted; pacemakers may be temporary or permanent, internal or external

Cardiac Defibrillator Implantation
A procedure during which a small device is implanted under the skin in the upper chest and connected to the heart to monitor heart rate; when irregularity is detected, the defibrillator will electrically shock the heart to normalize its rhythm

CRT—Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy
New form of therapy in which a specialized pacemaker is used to re-coordinate the action of the left and right ventricles (pacing both ventricles simultaneously) in patients with congestive heart failure

Additionally, as a special convenience to our patients, we are proud to offer an onsite Coumadin Clinic.  The Clinic is located on the 2nd floor of the Heart, Lung, Vascular Institute and is open for patients to drop by for a check on their medication during business hours, Monday-Friday.  A member of our medical staff is available to perform a check and will adjust your Coumadin dosage as needed on the spot.

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