Diagnostic Procedures

Question 1

Ambulatory Electrocardiography (aka Holter monitoring)

Answer 1

ECG electrodes on chest record for 24-48 hrs to evaluate cardiac rhythm/ efficacy of meds/ pacemaker function
results are correlated to pr’s diary of symptoms & activities

Question 2

Angiography

Answer 2

contrast medium is injected into blood vessels to show location of plaques in coronary arteries/ extent of occlusion under radiographic imaging prior to cardiac catheterization

Question 3

Bronchoscopy

Answer 3

fiberoptic instrument transmits image to identify tumors/ bronchitis/ foreign bodies/ bleeding in bronchial tree
tissue specimens may be removed via biopsy/ bronchiolar lavage

Question 4

Cardiac Catherterization

Answer 4

thin catheter inserted leg/arm artery, is advanced to coronary arteries where contrasting dye is injected
test evaluated narrowing of coronary arteries/ measures BP and SaO2 in the heart

Question 5

Chest Radiograph

Answer 5

used to visualize location/ size/ shape of heart, lungs, blood vessels, ribs, and bones of spine
can reveal fluid in pleural space/ pneumonia/ emphysema/ cancer/ etc.

Question 6

Computed Tomography (CT scan)

Answer 6

uses an x-ray that rotates around pt lying on a table
computer processes info & forms image of organs and surrounding structures
newest models may replace need for catheterization

Question 7

Echocardiography

Answer 7

uses high frequency sound waves to evaluate functioning of heart in real time images
provides info on size/function of ventricles, thickness of septums, & function of walls/ valves/ chambers of heart

Question 8

Fluoroscopy

Answer 8

continuous x-ray shows heart and lungs
has (mostly) been replaced by echocardiography due to high dose of radiation to pt (except for cardiac catheterization & electrophysiological testing)

Question 9

Invasive Hemodynamic Monitoring

Answer 9

continuous monitoring of cardiovascular stats via intra-arterial catheters & intravenous lines that measure pressure, volume & temp

Question 10

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Answer 10

magnetic field and radio waves create 3D images of heart & blood vessels to asses size/ function/ extent of damage cause my MI or heart disease/ structural problems in aorta/ presence of plaques & blockages in blood vessels/ locate masses in mediastinum
not so good for imaging lungs

Question 11

Myocardial Perfusion Imaging (MPI) aka radionuclide stress test/ nuclear stress test

Answer 11

shows how well heart muscle is perfused @ rest and under exercise induced stress
radionuclide agent injected into blood @ rest and @ max level of exercise and then imaged to show areas of reduced blood supply due to narrowing of one/more coronary arteries

Question 12

Venography

Answer 12

radioplaque dye injected into vein while x-ray procedure creates image of vein to detect clot/ blockage