Advanced Cardiovascular Imaging Services Provide a Better Look at Your Heart Health

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Computerized Tomography (CT Scan)

A cardiac 256-slice CT is used by cardiology specialists to look for specific forms of heart disease.  Sometimes, contrast is used to highlight coronary arteries so the specialists can see calcium buildup in the walls of the coronary arteries, issues specific to a patient’s heart valves, etc.  This type of CT scan is called a coronary CT angiography or CTA.

Ultrasound Imaging

A standard echocardiogram is also known as cardiac ultrasound or a transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE). For this test, the probe is placed on the patient's chest and images are taken through the chest wall. It's a non-invasive, quick assessment of the heart. 

A TEE is a transesophageal echocardiogram. As compared to a normal echocardiogram, this test is more invasive. It involves a specialized probe being inserted into the patient's esophagus which gets the ultrasound tip closer to the heart, allowing for clearer images of the heart structure. 

Nuclear Medicine (Nuclear Scanning)

Nuclear Scanning uses a radioactive compound administered into the blood stream by swallowing or injecting. A scanner is then used to detect radiation and produce a computerized picture.

Cardiac studies in Nuclear Medicine are performed using a treadmill (exercise) or Cardiolyte, a drug, (non exercise) to determine function or cardiac muscle damage.