Heart Diagnostics

Cardiac Diagnostics Center

The Cardiac Diagnostics Center at AtlantiCare offers advanced diagnostic tests and tools to further understand the complexity of disease, injury, and congenital (inherited) or acquired abnormalities that affect the heart.

Diagnostic Testing

• Ankle brachial index (ABI): Ankle brachial index is a non-invasive diagnostic tool used to check for peripheral artery disease. It compares blood pressure measured at the ankle with blood pressure measured in the arm. A low ABI number may indicate a narrowing or blockage of the arteries in the legs.
• Aortic abdominal duplex: An aortic abdominal duplex is an ultrasound test used to examine the aorta and other arteries that deliver blood to major organs throughout the body. It is used to detect blood flow through the legs, plaque buildup in the arterial walls and aneurysm (bulging artery).
• Carotid Doppler: The carotid Doppler imaging test uses ultrasound technology to examine the carotid arteries in the neck. It can show plaque buildup or blockages created as a result of coronary artery disease.
• Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA): Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) uses advanced technology along with intravenous (IV) contrast dye to obtain high-resolution, 3D pictures of the moving heart. This test examines the arteries that supply blood to the heart to check for plaque buildup. It can provide the earliest evidence of coronary artery disease.
• Duplex ultrasound: Duplex ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to examine the speed of blood flow, as well as the structure of veins in the legs. “Duplex” refers to the use of two forms of ultrasound – Doppler and B-mode.
• Echocardiogram: An echocardiogram uses sound waves to create a moving picture of blood flow in the heart. This test can detect damage to heart valves and heart muscle and identify possible genetic abnormalities. It is best for those with symptoms of heart disease.
  • Echo with Definity is a standard echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) performed using a contrast agent called Definity to improve image quality.
  • Echo with Bubble Study is a special type of echocardiogram used to detect abnormal connections between the right and left sides of the heart. Sometimes called a contrast echo, but instead of a medication like contrast dye, it uses agitated saline (sterile salt water mixed with tiny air bubbles).
  • Stress Echo is a heart ultrasound performed before and after your heart is stressed — either by exercise or medication — to see how well your heart functions under strain.
• Electrocardiogram (EKG): An EKG measures the heart’s electrical system for one minute. To detect heart abnormalities that may become apparent over a longer period, your cardiologist may order a Holter monitor to record your heart’s activity for 24 hours, or an event monitor to record activity for 1 to 4 weeks.
• Exercise stress test: An exercise stress test measures the impact of exercise on the heart. It involves walking on a treadmill or pedaling an exercise bike and slowly increasing intensity to determine if your heart muscle is getting enough oxygen.
• Holter & Event monitors: A holter monitor is a small machine that continuously records your heart’s electrical activity. We may ask you to wear it for at least 3 days during normal activity to learn more information about your heart than an electrocardiogram (EKG) can provide.
• Nuclear stress test: A nuclear stress test can detect damage to the heart muscle from a previous heart attack, as well as check the condition of your heart and source of chest symptoms. During the test, a radiographic tracer is injected and images are taken before and after performing exercise or taking medication.
• Pulmonary Vascular Resistance: PVR measures the resistance that blood faces when flowing through the pulmonary circulation (the blood vessels in the lungs). It reflects how hard the right side of the heart has to work to pump blood into the lungs.
• Transesphageal echocardiogram (TEE): TEE is a specialized type of echocardiogram that provides a closer look at the heart while you are under sedation. During a TEE study, a small ultrasound transducer is positioned on an endoscope (a long, thin, flexible instrument), which is then placed in the mouth and passed into the esophagus to provide a close look at the heart’s valves and chambers without interference from the ribs or lungs.
• Venous duplex: A venous duplex ultrasound examines blood vessels and blood flow. A duplex ultrasound combines traditional ultrasound and Doppler ultrasound. In an upper extremity venous duplex scan, veins in the neck, shoulders, arms and wrists are examined. A lower extremity venous duplex scan looks at veins in the legs and ankles.