Office Tests

In-Office Diagnostic Tests Available

During the course of your medical care, you may require certain diagnostic tests at the discretion of your physician. Fortunately, Coast Cardiology is able to offer all non-invasive cardiovascular tests in the office. These diagnosis tests include:

CAT SCAN -  CCC physicians are proud to bring to the MS Gulf Coast one of the first 64 slice Cat Scan machines. This diagnostic tool allows the Cardiologists to see sliced images of your coronaries in 5mm increments. This allows them to study your vessels to make a recommendation as to whether or not to proceed with an invasive procedure.

EKG - Electrocardiograms provide information regarding the electrical activity of the heart, as well as various other cardiac abnormalities such as heart attacks. These are often necessary to make a diagnosls as well as for follow-ups.

CHEST X RAY - This test helps in the initial evaluation and follow-up of numerous cardiac and pulmonary conditions.

HOLTER MONITORING - An Ambulatory Holter monitor is a portable 24-hour tape recording of your heart beat used to detect irregularities in rhythm.

EVENT RECORDING - A patient-activated Holter monitor-like recorder used for an extended period of time and helpful in the evaluation of sporadic cardiac symptoms or events.

PACEMAKER CLINIC- There are several tests that can be performed to evaluate your pacemaker.  Many of the routine pacer checks are done via telephone transmission from the patient's home.  Periodically, the patient may need to come to the office for a more formal interrogation or for computerized reprogramming of the device.

ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY - An echocardiogram Is a simple, yet very essential, non-invasive test that uses two-dimensional, Doppler, M-mode, and color flow ultrasonic imaging for the assessment of chamber size and function, valve function, physiological information (blood flow velocities, gradients

and pressures) and other important disorders such as congenital defects.

Myocardial Perfusion Scan(Nuclear Stress Test)- This test uses the IV injection of a small amount of a  radioactive substance called "Cardiolite." A special camera (Spect Camera) is used to take pictures of the heart at rest and after stress. This lest Is frequently used to evaluate patients with chest pain or

after an angioplasty to detect re-blockage of the dilated artery and after coronary bypass surgery to assess the integrity and function of the bypass graft done. If the patient cannot exercise, a pharmacological stress test will be done, This involves the use of an IV medication (usually with low level of exercise) that increases the blood flow to the heart (coronary vasodilators, such as Persantine). Other IV medications such as Dobutamine that simulate the effects of exercise (by increasing the heart rate and making each heart beat more forceful) can be used. These types of stress tests are used In patients who cannot exercise, such as those with severe lung disease, arthritis, prior leg amputation, stroke, etc.

VASCULAR STUDIES - These non-invasive tests are beneficial in the assessment of peripheral vascular disease or circulation disorders. Using various ultrasound and pressure recording techniques, the arteries and veins of the extremities can be studied. In addition, these exams can identify abnormalities in the carotid arteries of the neck and also abdominal aorta.

IN-HOUSE LABORATORY- For your convenience, Coast Cardiology offers a full service laboratory with licensed personnel and modern equipment to ensure the highest quality of testing.

CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE CLINIC -Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) is an ailment that affects over 5 million people In the United Stales. The term Heart Failure describes a syndrome, in which the heart isn't working (pumping) as efficiently as It should to meet the blood and oxygen requirement of

the body's organs and tissues, ultimately resulting In an accumulation of fluid in the heart and lungs,  as well as the lower extremities. Congestive Heart Failure can be a symptom of other cardiovascular problems and can occur gradually or suddenly. Careful management of CHF which may Include hospitalization, surgery, medical therapy, and lifestyle modification can markedly improve symptoms and prolong life.

Cardiac Rehabilitation - We offer a comprehensive program emphasizing: Physical Fitness, intervention to Retard the Underlying Disease Process, Reduction in Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Psycho-Social Adaptation. Our ultimate goal is to have our patients obtain a generalized sense of well-being enabling them in making the adjustment necessary for an active and productive life.