Cardiac Imaging

Noninvasive diagnostic tests provide physicians a view of a patient’s heart function and vascular system in a noninvasive manner with few side effects.

• Heart screening, via a heart scan (also called calcium scoring) or vascular screening, assesses your risks of developing heart disease and helps a physician anticipate future cardiac events.
• Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides detailed, real-time images of the heart and vascular system without using radiation.
• Cardiac computed tomography (CT) scan uses the latest multidetector CT to provide fast and accurate images of your heart and vascular system.
• Echocardiography uses ultrasound waves to evaluate how the blood moves through the heart chambers and valves in your heart.
• Nuclear cardiology uses small amounts radiation to allow for advanced imaging of the structure and vessels of the heart.
• Vascular ultrasound enables physicians to see the smallest details of blood flow and vascular system function.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG) and Holter monitoring evaluate heart function to determine whether your heartbeat is regular or irregular.
• Positron emission tomography (PET) scan uses a very low dose of radiation to allow for a detailed visualization of the coronary arties, which can be used to assess the status of heart muscles and detect infections.
• Cardiac stress testing evaluates heart function by comparing the heart at rest to when it is active.

Cardiac catheterization allows a physician to evaluate the function of the heart and vascular system. This technique is less invasive than open surgery, but involves inserting a thin flexible tube (a catheter) through the groin or arm into the side of the heart. Cardiac catheterization can also be used to treat some types of heart conditions.