AICD Check

Non-Invasive Cardiology Test

Patient’s name:

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What You N

eed to Know

Echocardiography Test

Required before test:

Please provide a signed physican order.

Results will be sent to your ordering physician after a cardiologist’s review.

AICD Check

How to prepare for your test:You may take your medications on the day of your test.

You may eat and drink fluids on the day of your test.

How long will the test take?About 30 minutes.

What is the purpose of the test?To check the programmed settings and functionality of your automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator (AICD).

How is the test performed?You will lie on an exam table, and three small adhesive pads (electrodes) will be placed on your chest. A programming wand will be positioned over the AICD, and the associated computer will be used to evaluate the AICD. After the evaluation, the electrodes will be removed from your chest.

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OutpatientCardiac

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Your test will be conducted at:

How to register:

Please park in the lot in front of the Emergency Department or in the adjacent lots. Enter the hospital through the Emergency entrance and turn left into the Emergency Department waiting room. Register here at the Check-In desk. You will need to show a copy of your insurance card, driver’s license, and signed physician’s order (if available). After you register, you will take an elevator up one floor to the Heart Center for your test.

You are welcome to bring a family member or friend to your test. Our Heart Center also has a comfortable waiting area.

A Place for Family and Friends

EIRMC Heart Center 2nd Floor (above Emergency Dept.)

3100 Channing Way Idaho Falls

208-529-7880

In case of schedule delays...

We do our best to start your procedure on schedule, but sometimes another patient may experience a cardiac emergency that delays your procedure. If a delay occurs, we will keep you informed of changes and will start your procedure as soon as possible.


Patient’s name:

Test date:

Test time:


What You N

eed to Know


Ankle-Brachial Index




What is the purpose of the test?To measure the blood pressure in the ankles and arms. The test uses blood-pressure cuffs on your arms and ankles and a small probe to listen to soundwaves produced in your arteries.

How is the test performed?You will be asked to remove your shoes and stockings. You will lie on an exam table. A technician will attach blood-pressure cuffs to your arms and ankles. The technician will measure your blood pressure and use a probe to listen to soundwaves produced in your arteries.

Occasionally, this test is followed by a treadmill test to determine if symptoms of leg pain will occur with exercise. You will walk on the treadmill at a slow pace for 5 minutes or less. If leg pain occurs, the technician will stop you. You will then be asked to lie on the exam table, and your arm and ankle blood pressures will be measured again.

The results of your test will be carefully reviewed and interpreted by a cardiologist.





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OutpatientCardiac

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208-529-7880




Patient’s name:

Test date:

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What You N

eed to Know


Arterial Segmental Study



How long will the test take?About 1 hour.

What is the purpose of the test?To provide information about the quality of arterial blood flow in your legs.

How is the test performed?You will be asked to lie down on an exam bed. A sheet will be placed over your legs. Blood-pressure cuffs will be placed on your legs and upper arms. The cuffs will be systematically inflated, and the evaluation equipment will indicate how well blood flows in your legs.





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208-529-7880




Patient’s name:

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What You N

eed to Know


Carotid Doppler Study

How to prepare for your test:Wear a loose-neck shirt or blouse.


What is the purpose of the test?To look for problems with blood flow in the walls and interior of the carotid arteries. Our two carotid arteries, located in the neck, supply blood to the brain.

How is the test performed?You will be placed on your back, and your head will be turned to the left and then to the right.

On the skin of your neck a water-soluble gel will be applied. A handheld device (known as a transducer) will be gently rubbed over your neck to direct high-frequency sound waves to the arteries being tested. The ultrasound machine will use these waves to create images of your carotid arteries, which will be evaluated by a cardiologist.





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208-529-7880




Patient’s name:

Test date:

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What You N

eed to Know


Dobutamine Stress Echo

How to prepare for your test:Do not eat or drink after midnight the night before the test.

No caffeine for at least 12 hours, and preferably 24 hours, before the test.

Cardiac medication restrictions are at the discretion of the ordering physician or the cardiologist.

How long will the test take?About 2 hours.

What is the purpose of the test?This procedure is done as a substitute for an exercise echo for persons who may be unable to exercise on a treadmill or stationary bicycle. The procedure mimics exercise by injecting an intravenous (IV) medication called dobutamine, which causes the heart to beat faster and stronger as it does during exercise.

Examples of reasons for having this procedure:

• to assess the heart's function and structure• to assess limits for safe exercise in patients who are

entering a cardiac rehabilitation program and/or those who are recovering from a cardiac event such as heart attack or heart surgery

• to assess blood-pressure reaction during stress testing

• to assess stress or exercise tolerance in patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease

• to assess cardiac status in patients who are about to undergo surgery

How is the test performed?An IV line will be started in your hand or arm, and a blood-pressure cuff will be placed on your arm. EKG leads will be attached to your chest to monitor the electrical activity of your heart. A baseline assessment of your heart rate and blood pressure will be done.

The echo technician will apply warmed gel to your chest. Then he/she will position the ultrasound probe (transducer) on your chest and use a small amount of pressure to obtain the desired image. The dobutamine infusion will begin at a rate determined by your weight. The rate of the infusion will be increased every three minutes until you have reached your target heart rate (determined by the physician based on your age and physical condition) or until the maximum dose of dobutamine has been reached. After the dobutamine is started and after each increase in the dobutamine rate, your blood pressure will be checked, an EKG tracing will be made, and echo images will be obtained. The technician will move the transducer in the area of your sternum and then on your side so that all areas and structures of your heart can be observed.

Once you have reached your target heart rate or the maximum amount of the dobutamine, the medication will be stopped. Your heart rate, blood pressure, EKG, and echo will continue to be monitored for 10 – 15 minutes until they have returned to or near the baseline state. Once all the images have been taken, the technician will wipe the gel from your chest, remove the EKG electrode pads, and take out the IV line.





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OutpatientCardiac

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208-529-7880




Patient’s name:

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What You N

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Echo Complete

How to prepare for your test:Please wear a two-piece outfit. This will allow you to disrobe from the waist up and put on a hospital gown or be covered with a sheet.

How long will the test take?About 30 – 60 minutes.

What is the purpose of the test?An ultrasound of the heart muscle that measures chamber size (thickness and volume) and evaluates valves and blood flow. Known also as a transthoracic echo (TTE) test.

How is the test performed?You will lie on a flat table or bed and a conductive gel will be applied to your chest. The cardiac sonographer will then press a small, hand-held device called a transducer against your gel-covered skin. The transducer will send high-frequency sound waves toward your heart, which will reflect the waves back to the transducer. The waves will be converted into electrical impulses that become a visible image on the echo machine.

The sonographer can capture still or moving images for review at a later time. To obtain clearer and more-complete images, the sonographer may move the transducer to different areas of your chest. You may be asked to change positions and slowly inhale, exhale, or not breathe for short periods during the exam. Once all the images have been taken, the sonographer will wipe the gel from your chest.





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OutpatientCardiac

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How to register:






208-529-7880




Patient’s name:

Test date:

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What You N

eed to Know


Echo with Agitated Saline



What is the purpose of the test?An ultrasound that allows the doctor to see images from inside the heart. The test includes the injection of agitated saline (a non-radioactive contrast agent) to help determine whether a shunt (passageway) exists between the left and right sides of the heart.

How is the test performed?You will lie on a flat table or bed, and a cardiac sonographer will apply conductive gel to your chest. A small IV will be placed into a vein in your arm. Through the IV, contrast agent will be injected during the procedure.

The sonographer will then press a small, hand-held device called a transducer against your gel-covered skin. The transducer will send high-frequency sound waves toward your heart, which will reflect the waves back to the transducer. The waves will be converted into electrical impulses that become a visible image on the echo machine.






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OutpatientCardiac

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OutpatientCardiac

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How to register:






208-529-7880




Patient’s name:

Test date:

Test time:


What You N

eed to Know


Echo with Contrast



What is the purpose of the test?An ultrasound that allows the doctor to see images from inside the heart. The test includes the injection of a non-radioactive contrast agent to improve the resolution of the pictures and to show blood flow.

How is the test performed?You will lie on a flat table or bed, and a cardiac sonographer will apply conductive gel to your chest. A small IV will be placed into a vein in your arm. Through the IV, contrast agent will be injected during the procedure.

The sonographer will then press a small, hand-held device called a transducer against your gel-covered skin. The transducer will send high-frequency sound waves toward your heart, which will reflect the waves back to the transducer. The waves will be converted into electrical impulses that become a visible image on the echo machine.






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First Floor


OutpatientCardiac

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OutpatientCardiac

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How to register:






208-529-7880




Patient’s name:

Test date:

Test time:


What You N

eed to Know


Exercise Ankle-Brachial Index

How to prepare for your test:Wear comfortable walking shoes and two-piece clothing since you will be required to exercise as part of the test.


What is the purpose of the test?To measure the blood pressure in the ankles and arms. The test uses sound waves (ultrasound) to map the anatomy, structure, and function of your circulatory system.

The test can indicate the presence of peripheral arterial disease in the legs.

This test is also known as a vascular stress test.

How is the test performed?You will be asked to remove your shoes and stockings. You will lie on an exam table. A technician will attach blood-pressure cuffs to your arms and ankles. The technician will measure your blood pressure.

This initial test will be followed by a treadmill or stationary-bicycle test to determine if you experience symptoms of leg pain as you exercise. You will walk on the treadmill (or pedal the bicycle) at a slow pace for 5 minutes or less. If leg pain occurs, the technician will stop you. Again you will lie on the exam table. The technician will measure your arm and ankle blood pressures.

The results of your test will be carefully reviewed and interpreted by a cardiologist.





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OutpatientCardiac

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How to register:






208-529-7880




Patient’s name:

Test date:

Test time:


What You N

eed to Know


Exercise Echo

How to prepare for your test:Wear a two-piece outfit and comfortable walking shoes.

How long will the test take?About 45 minutes to 1 hour.

What is the purpose of the test?Examples of reasons for having this test are:

• to assess limits for safe exercise in patients who are entering a cardiac rehabilitation program and/or those who are recovering from a cardiac event such as heart attack or heart surgery

• to assess leg pain with exercise in patients with suspected blockage in the legs' circulatory system

• to assess blood-pressure reaction during exercise• to assess stress or exercise tolerance in patients

with known or suspected coronary artery disease

How is the test performed?First, you’ll receive a “resting” echo test. Then you’ll exercise, and immediately afterward you’ll receive a second echo test (as described below).

As part of this test, a technician will place on your chest small adhesive pads (electrodes) with wires that attach to an electrocardiography (EKG) machine, which will monitor your heart rhythm during the test.

Resting echo

You’ll lie on a flat table or bed and a conductive gel will be applied to your chest. The technician will then press a small, hand-held device called a transducer against your gel-covered skin. The transducer will send high-frequency sound waves toward your heart, which will reflect the waves back to the transducer. The waves will be converted into electrical impulses that become a visible image on

the echo machine.

The technician can capture a still image or videotape moving images for review at a later time. To obtain clearer and more-complete images, the technician may move the transducer to different areas of your chest. You may be asked to change positions and slowly inhale, exhale, or not breathe for short periods during the exam.

Exercise

After the resting echo images have been obtained, you will begin to exercise on a treadmill or stationary bicycle. You will exercise until a target heart rate (determined by the physician based on your age and physical condition) has been reached, or until you are unable to continue exercising due to chest pain, leg pain, dizziness, severe shortness of breath, or severe fatigue. Once the target heart rate has been reached, you will continue to exercise for a minute or so more.

Post-exercise echo

After exercise, you will lie down on the table or bed and the echo procedure will be repeated. Your physician will compare the resting echo with the one done immediately after exercise. Once all the images have been taken, the technician will wipe the gel from your chest.





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How to register:






208-529-7880




Patient’s name:

Test date:

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What You N

eed to Know


Pacemaker Check



How long will the test take?About 30 – 45 minutes.

What is the purpose of the test?To check the settings, function, and battery longevity of your pacemaker.

How is the test performed?You will lie on an exam table, and three small adhesive pads (electrodes) will be placed on your chest. A programming wand will be positioned over the pacemaker, and the associated computer will be used to evaluate the pacemaker. After the evaluation, the electrodes will be removed from your chest.





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OutpatientCardiac

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OutpatientCardiac

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How to register:






208-529-7880




Patient’s name:

Test date:

Test time:


What You N

eed to Know


Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE)

How to prepare for your test:Do not eat or drink for at least 6 hours before the TEE.

If you have dentures or dental prostheses, you will need to remove them before the test.

Before the TEE, you will be given a sedative. You will not be able to drive for at least 24 hours after the procedure.

Please arrange for someone to drive you home.

How long will the test take?About 2 hours.

What is the purpose of the test?The purpose of the procedure may be any of the following:

• Check how well an artificial heart valve works.• Look for masses or blood clots in the upper left

chamber (left atrium) of the heart.• Identify abnormal blood flow between the

chambers of the heart (cardiac shunt).• Help find out if you have endocarditis.• Guide procedures done during cardiac

catheterization.• Help find out if you have a tear in the aorta (aortic

dissection).

How is the test performed?Your throat may be numbed with an anesthetic spray, gargle, or lozenge to relax your gag reflex and to ease insertion of the probe. Shortly before the test begins, an IV line will be placed in a vein in your arm. Medicine to decrease saliva and stomach secretions may be given through the IV. A pain medicine and sedative will be given to you through the IV in your arm during the test. You should feel relaxed and drowsy but still alert enough to cooperate.

Your heart rate, breathing rate, and blood pressure will be monitored throughout the test. Also, a small device used to measure the amount of oxygen in your blood (pulse oximeter) may be attached to your finger or earlobe.

You will be asked to lie on your left side with your head tilted slightly forward. A mouth guard may be inserted to protect your teeth from the probe. Then the lubricated tip of the probe will be guided into your mouth while your doctor gently presses your tongue out of the way. You may be asked to swallow to help move the tube along. It may be helpful to remember that the instrument is no thicker than many foods you swallow. Once the probe is in your esophagus, it will be moved down gently to the level of your upper right heart chamber (atrium), and ultrasound images will be taken. You will not feel or hear the sound waves during the test. You may receive an IV injection of saline or contrast dye to help your doctor assess your heart function.

During the test, try not to swallow unless requested. A nurse may remove the saliva from your mouth with a suction device, or you can just let the saliva drain from the side of your mouth. The test is generally painless, but you may feel nauseated and uncomfortable while the probe is in your throat.





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208-529-7880




Patient’s name:

Test date:

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What You N

eed to Know


Venous Scan

How to prepare for your test:No special preparations.


What is the purpose of the test?Sound waves are used to create a picture of the veins to determine the presence or absence of blood flow and the direction of flow. The test can be used to diagnose clots or problems with the valves in the veins.

How is the test performed?You will lie down on your back on an examination table.

You will be completely covered except for the leg that is being evaluated. The technician or helper will initially hand-squeeze your ankle, then your calf, and then your thigh. You will be asked to tighten your stomach muscles and then relax. This will help determine reversal of blood flows in the legs.

Then, the technician will apply a clear, water-based conducting gel to your leg to help with the transmission of sound waves. The technician will apply pressure to evaluate the elasticity of the veins down your leg. Then, the technician will move the ultrasound transducer (a handheld probe) over your leg to obtain high-quality pictures of your veins. In most cases, the technician will repeat this process for your other leg.





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Documents

AICD Check