Overview

UT Cardiovascular Medicine has the most comprehensive range of advanced cardiovascular diagnostic and imaging modalities available in the United States.  We have our internationally recognized cardiovacular specialists interpret these studies, so that your results are analyzed and a treatment plan developed to optimize your cardiovascular health and well being.

At UT Cardiovascular Medicine we offer the following imaging and diagnostic technologies:

Electrocardiogram (EKG): An electrocardiogram measures the electrical activity generated by the heart.

Echocardiogram: An echocardiogram uses ultrasound, or sound waves, to create detailed images of the heart muscle, and valves. These images can also measure the heart’s blood flow and function.

Stress Echocardiography: A stress echocardiogram uses ultrasound to see how the heart works under exercise conditions. Under exercise, this test can tell if there is a reduction in blood flow to the heart muscle due to a blocked artery. We usually use treadmill or bicycle for exercise.  But if you can’t exercise, we can use medications to mimic these exercise conditions.

Nuclear Stress Testing and Nuclear Imaging: A nuclear stress test uses an injected radioactive material to look at the blood flow through the heart during exercise conditions. We usually use treadmill or bicycle for exercise, but if you can’t exercise we can use medications to mimic these exercise conditions. Nuclear imaging can also be used to measure heart function.

Positron Emission Tomography (PET): At the Weatherhead PET Center, we provide advanced cardiac PET and cardiac PET-CT.  PET-CT is like a nuclear stress test, but can detect smaller changes in blood flow and changes to heart muscle cell function. It is the most accurate of the stress and imaging modalities in the world today for the detection coronary artery disease.   Weatherhead PET Center - web site

Heart Rhythms Monitors:  These monitors, called Holter or event recorders, are small iPod-size devices connected to leads that are placed on the chest to record heart rhythms. Heart rhythm monitors are worn for one or more days to detect heart rhythm changes.

Optimization of Pacemakers and Defibrillators (ICD): We can optimize any pacemaker or defibrillator using our non-invasive programming devices. We now also offer “pacemaker tune ups” using ultrasound, so that the pacemaker makes the heart pump more efficiently.

Vascular Ultrasound:  Vascular ultrasound uses sound waves to create detailed images of the carotid arteries, renal arteries and limb arteries. These images can also be used to measure the blood flow through the artery and detect blockages.

Vascular screening: UT Cardiovascular Medicine has a range of vascular screening modalities including carotid artery screening, peripheral artery screening, abdominal aortic aneursym screening and early coronary artery disease imaging.

Non-Invasive Vascular Testing: This test measures changes in blood pressure at different levels in the arms and legs to non-invasively detect blockages.

Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CMR): This test uses magnetic fields (without radiation) to create detailed images of the heart and vascular system.

Cardiovascular Computer Tomography (CT 64 slice): This test takes and puts together multiple x-rays using computers to create detailed images of the heart and vascular system.

Laboratory Tests: The full range of laboratory tests are available at UT Cardiovascular Medicine.