We're putting more "heart" in heart care with the opening of the new cardiovascular wing at The Medical Center. Whether it's a basic procedure, an advanced diagnostic test, or sophisticated angioplasty, you can count on Lahey Cardiology at The Medical Center for exceptional cardiovasuclar care close to home.
Exercise Tolerance Test (ETT): An ETT is a special type of EKG. This test allows the physician to evaluate whether the blood supply to the heart is sufficient during different levels of exercise. An ETT also helps your physician determine the type and level of exercise that is right for you.
Exercise Myoview ( EMYOVIEW): This test combines exercise and nuclear imaging to evaluate the blood flow to your heart muscle. Myoview is a low-level isotope used to highlight the heart muscle.
Persantine or Adenosine Myoview Stress Test ( PMYOVIEW/AMYOVIEW): Through the use of nuclear imaging, the test evaluates the blood flow to the heart muscle or identifies blockages in the coronary arteries. The medication persantine causes the coronary arteries to dilate and simulates the effects of exercise. The low-level isotope Myoview highlights the heart muscle. It is used for patients who cannot exercise on a high enough level on a treadmill to obtain an adequate reading from a stress test.
Echocardiogram: Harmless sound waves are bounced off the heart and converted into two-dimensional images of the heart and its internal structures to evaluate the size, pumping, strength, and function of the heart muscle and valves.
Exercise Stress Echocardiogram (SEC): SEC combines an ultrasound study of the heart and an exercise stress test. During the test, harmless sound waves are bounced off the heart and converted into two-dimensional images of the heart and its internal structures. The patient walks on a treadmill as in a regular stress test. Pictures of the heart are taken before and after being on the treadmill.
Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE): TEE sends harmless sound waves to the heart through a small scope placed down your throat. Parts of the heart such as the wall, valves, muscles, and blood vessels send echoes back. A TEE can see cardiac structures in more detail than a routine echocardiogram.
Dobutamine Stress Echocardiogram (DEC): Dobutamine is a medication given through an IV that causes the heart to beat faster and stronger, just as it would if you were exercising. An ultrasound test is performed on your chest. The test is used for patients who cannot participate in a traditional stress test on a treadmill.
Pacemaker Implant: If your heart is beating too slowly, a pacemaker implant may help to regulate your heart. It is a small device, consisting of a pulse generator or battery and one or two leads that are connected to your heart chambers.
Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD): An ICD is a small device that monitors your heart rate and rhythm. If you have a potentially lethal arrhythmia, the ICD will give your heart an electrical charge so that your heart will start beating normally again. It includes a pacemaker to prevent your heart from beating too slowly.
Cardioversion: Cardioversion is a treatment to correct certain types of abnormal heart rhythms. The goal is to convert an abnormal cardiac rhythm to a normal one through the use of a carefully timed and well-controlled electric shock to the chest wall.
Cardiac Catheterization: Cardiac catheterization is a diagnostic heart test used to find out how well your heart is working and if any of the arteries feeding your heart muscle (coronary arteries) are blocked.
Angioplasty: Angioplasty is a way of relieving blockage in a coronary artery without surgery. A fine plastic tube, called a catheter, is inserted through a blockage in a coronary artery. A wire mesh stent containing a balloon is located near the end of the catheter. The balloon is inflated, pressing the stent and the blockage to the sides of the artery. The balloon is then deflated and withdrawn leaving the stent open and allowing greater blood flow.