Cardiac Testing

Question 1

If an EKG comes back normal, what do you have to consider?

Answer 1

Only will show something if the patient is having problems at the time of the test

Question 2

tilt table study

Answer 2

used to evaluate vertigo and syncope, Used to induce arrhythmias
Can find the focal point for multi focal heart problems for ablation

Question 3

TEE vs

TTE

Answer 3

• looks behind the heart, more specific indications, able to detect left atrial thrombus, small mitral valve vegetations (for endocarditis) and thoracic aortic dissections
• routine echo through the chest

Question 4

an echo doppler is used to…

Answer 4

determine the flow rate of blood through the chambers

Question 5

dilated chambers are a sign of

ventricular hypertrophy is a sign of

Answer 5

systolic heart failure

diastolic hypertrophy

Question 6

what is a stress test used for?

Answer 6

Used to detect ischemia when there is otherwise no ischemia at rest
Looks at heart perfusion

Question 7

different types of stress tests?

Answer 7

-Exercise
-Pharmacologic
You want to get to around 80% of your max HR for it to be a good test

Question 8

what should be utilized every stress test?

Answer 8

EKG monitor (ST depressions)

Question 9

echo stress test

Answer 9

This is done once during rest and once immediately following stress

Question 10

Myocardial Perfusion Study - SPECT

Answer 10

an area doesn’t light up during rest phase then there may already be cellular death from scar tissue that cannot be fixed

Question 11

PET scan

Answer 11

Can be used to evaluate somebody for cardiac transplant to see if the person’s heart is crap and they need a new heart asap

Question 12

MRI is great at detecting

Answer 12

aortic dissection
pericardial thickening
left ventricular volume and mass

Question 13

left heart catheterization

Answer 13

• visualize coronary artery occlusions and assists with angioplasty or stent insertion
• useful for differentiating cardiac constriction vs restriction pressures
• also useful in arena of valvular and congenital disease intervention

Question 14

right heart cath

Answer 14

-aka Pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) or Swan Ganz Catheter
-Can be used to detect PHTN or right heart ischemia
-Check vena cava pressures, increased can indicate heart failure
Decreased can indicate fluid depletion

Question 15

Intra-aortic balloon pump

Answer 15

used during cardiogenic shock, especially in setting of acute MI
increases cardiac output
decreases HR
increases myocardial perfusion