SERVICES

Procedures
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Amiodarone
Amiodarone, an antiarrhythmic medication, is a drug used to correct abnormal rhythms of the heart.  Your doctor or mid-level will discuss the side effects of using Amiodarone with you.  You may also review additional information here.   

Anticoagulation Management
Coumadin is a prescription medication used to reduce the formation and occurrence of blood clots.  Patients who have irregular heartbeats (for example atrial fibrillation), heart valve replacements, and/or those who have experienced recent heart attacks, may be prescribed this drug.   For more information, click here.

Cardiac Holter and Event Monitoring
A Holter monitor is a battery-operated, portable device that measures and records (now digital) your heart’s electrical activity (ECG) continuously for 24 to 48 hours or longer depending on the monitor used. Electrodes (small conducting patches) are placed on your chest and attached to a small recording monitor that you can carry in a pocket or in a small pouch worn around your neck. The recording is then analyzed, a report of the heart's activity is tabulated and irregular heart activity is correlated with a diary that you keep of your activity at the time.  For more information, click here.

Computed Tomography
CT scan or CAT scan, as they are commonly called, is a non-invasive procedure our physicians and mid-levels use to study the cross-sections of soft tissue and organs.  For more information, click here

Echocardiography (ECHO)
Using sound waves, this procedure captures moving pictures of the heart.  This data can then be analyzed and interpreted by our physicians and mid-levels.  For more information on Echocardiography, click here.

Electrocardiogram (EKG)
An electrocardiogram is a test commonly used to discover problems with the electrical activity of the heart.  This procedure translates the heart’s electrical signals into line tracings, which are then recorded on lined paper.  These readings are then interpreted by our physicians and mid-levels.  For more information, click here.

Gated Pool Study (MUGA)
A MUGA examination will allow our physicians and mid-levels the opportunity to calculate how well your heart is pumping.  The results of this study help determine the overall condition of the heart muscle and its response to medication.   Click here for more information, along with a form to complete, print and bring with you if you have such a test scheduled.

Myocardial Perfusion Imaging (MPI)
Dobutamine Nuclear Stress Testing - Click here for more information on this procedure
Adenosine Nuclear Stress Testing - Click here for more information on this procedure
Exercise Nuclear Stress Testing - Click here for more information on this procedure

Cardiac Catheterization
A procedure preformed to check the heart and coronary arteries.  Click here for more information from our media library.

PTCA / Angioplasty
A procedure used to treat coronary artery disease.  Click here for more information from our media library.

Stent
A coronary stent is a wire mesh or coil like tube that is inserted into the coronary artery during an angioplasty procedure.  Click here for more information from our media library.

Atherectomy
Coronary atherectomy is a procedure utilized to restore normal blood flow through a blocked vessel by removing the fatty material (plaque) causing the blockage.  Click here for more information from our media library.

Tilt Table
A procedure used to help determine why a patient may be experiencing fainting or lightheadedness.  Click here for more information.

Cardoiversion
Cardioversion is a treatment for heart rhythms that are irregular (arrhythmia). During cardioversion, a special machine is used to send electrical energy to the heart muscle to restore normal rhythm. The procedure restores the normal heart rate and rhythm, allowing the heart to pump more effectively.

Pacer – insertion
A pacemaker is a battery-powered device that sends electrical signals to your heart to help it beat at a proper rate or “pace”.  Click here for more information from our media library.

ICD
An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is a battery-powered device placed under your skin, beneath the collarbone, that is connected to your heart by one or more wires (leads) and keeps track of your heartbeat.  Click here for more information from our media library.

TEE
A transesophageal echocardiogram is a diagnostic test used to view the structures of the beating heart.  Click here for more information from our media library.

CT Angio – (Mercy site only)
An angiogram is test that takes X-ray pictures of blood vessels while injecting X-ray contrast (“dye”).  Click here for more information from our media library.

Temp pacer
A transvenous pacemaker is a battery-powered device that stimulates the heart to beat when there is an impairment in the heart's own electrical conduction system. It is externally attached to a pacing lead that is inserted through a vein into the right atrium and/or right ventricle. Veins used for insertion include subclavian, femoral, brachial, internal or external jugular. Insertion of the pacing lead can be done at the patient's bedside in ED/ICU/Step-down or in the Cardiac Cath/EP Lab with fluoroscopy. The pacing lead tip is placed in direct contact with the endocardium. Clinical indications include symptomatic bradycardia and tachycardia. Patients with a temporary transvenous pacemaker must be on a cardiac monitor.  A temporary pacing system is sometimes recommended for patients who are experiencing irregular heartbeats as a result of a recent heart attack or other acute medical condition. The implantation procedure for the pacemaker leads is similar to that for a permanent pacing system, but the actual pacemaker unit housing the pulse generator remains outside the patient's body. Temporary pacing systems may be replaced with a permanent device at a later date.

Venography
Venography is an x-ray test that provides an image of the leg veins after a contrast dye is injected into a vein in the patient's foot. Venography is primarily performed to diagnose deep vein thrombosis (a condition that can lead to pulmonary embolism). It is the standard procedure used to detect this type of disorder. Venography also can be used to distinguish blood clots from obstructions in the veins, to evaluate congenital vein problems, to see how the deep leg vein valves are working, and to identify a vein for arterial bypass grafting.

Loop recorder
An implantable loop recorder is a small device that is implanted under the skin to help identify the causes of fainting.  Click here for more information from our media library.

Ablation
Cardiac ablation is a procedure used to correct irregular heartbeats by destroying the tissue that creates the abnormal electrical signals.  Click here for more information from our media library.

* For general information, click here