Diagnostic Testing & Imaging Flashcards
Holter Monitor Purpose
-Detecting/assessing arrhythmias & correlation of S&S w/ heart activity
-Determine anti-arrhythmic med effectiveness
Holter Monitor: things to be aware of and PT implications
-Leads must stay att., if electrodes fall replace them quick
-Avoid getting monitor wet & keep phones away from it
-Sleep on your back
-PT Implications: know results and change tx plan accordingly
Echocardiogram Purpose
-US of heart, allows one to see abnormal cardiac anatomy: LV volume, SV, EF, CO, motion of valves/heart muscle, blood flow
Types of Echocardiography (5)
1) surface/transthoracic (on skin over heart)
2) transesophageal (swallowed, can detect clots/masses/tumors inside heart)
3) stress (during/after exercise)
4) 3D (newest, displays intracardiac anatomy)
5) Contrast (assess myocardial perfusion & ventricular chamber)
CI & concerns for transesophasgeal echo
-dysphagia
-may cause resp. issues or bleeds
What is Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and what is it used for?
-Uses radioactive glucose, requires special equipment, training, & expensive
-GOLD STANDARD: Measures cardiac metabolism & blood flow.
-Detects cardiac tissue viability, but NOT movement quality or anatomy
Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) detects what?
-Detects myocardial perfusion & contraction defects
-EF, contractility defects, ventricle volumes, regional function
T/F: SPECT is more accurate than PET, & it’s used more frequently/more available.
False.
SPECT is less accurate but more frequently available/used than PET.
Radionuclide Perfusion Imaging (Nuclear Stress Test) provides what info?
-Rest and post-stress info on myocardial perfusion, viability, & LV systolic function.
Nu. Stress Test assess?
-Ongoing chest pain
-DIAGNOSE CAD
-Post-MI myocardial damage
-Post revascularization surgery to assess blood flow
-Scar Tissue in heart
MRI used for…
-Assessing cardiac anatomy & congenital malformation to identify masses/thrombi
-Can evaluate morphology, valve disease, cardiac shunts, blood flow, coronary A anatomy
MRI CIs/cautions
-pt has a pacemaker
-artificial joint
-other metallic devices
Magnetic Resonance Angiography
-Type of MRI that looks at blood vessels
-Can detect: arterial aneurysm, aortic dissection, Carotid A disease
-Less invasive/painful than traditional angiography
What is an XR of vessels & heart chambers that have been perfused with a special dye via a cardiac catheter?
Coronary Angiography
Coronary Angiography can detect:
-CAD presence/severity
-LV, atrial, pulm. V, & CA dysfunctions
-Valvular heart disease
Complications of an Cardiac Angiogram (4)
1) Serious bleeding
2) MI
3) CVA
4) Kidney failure
PT implications for L Heart Cardiac Angiography (3)
-Femoral A incision site: bed rest for 6-8 hrs with involved LE straight
-Knee immobilizer to minimize hip flex
-Monitor for grain hematomas & pain
PT implications for R Heart Cardiac Angiography (2)
1) used to dx RV, atrial, & pulm. A dysfunction
2) incision site usually external jugular vein so NO ACTIVITY RESTRICTIONS
CAT Angiography: what is it and used for?
-CT coronary angiogram that looks at arteries that supply blood to your heart.
-Used to dx/tx vessels diseases/conditions:
-aneurysms, blockages, blood clots, congenital abnormalities, vascular malformations, vessel rupture/tears
Computer Tomography (CT): what is it and what’s it used for?
- 2D XRs that show bone, vessels, & soft tissues inside body
-More detailed than plain XR, same as CAT scan
-Can show anatomic or blood flow defects
Cardiac Calcium Scan: what is it and used for?
-CT for Calcium scoring produces pics of coronary arteries to assess if they are blocked/narrowed w/ plaque.
Cardiac Calcium Scan Interpretation
-Incr. Ca = incr. risk for heart disease
Little plaque, 10% change of HD, MI risk low = 1-10
Some plaque, Mild HD, mod MI risk, tx modifiable factors = 11-100
Mod plaque, HD & artery may be blocked, mod-high MI risk, more testing needed, may start tx = 101-400
Large plaque, >90% that plaque is blocking artery, high MI risk, more testing + tx = >400
Doppler US: what is it and used for?
-Noninvasive test that estimates blood flow by bouncing sound waves (US) off RBCs.
-Detects DVT, artery blockage, estimate blood flow in veins/arteries/heart, & aneurysms
Multigated Acquisition Scan (MUGA): what is it and used for?
-Frequently used in pts with HF
-Creates vid of blood flow thru ventricle & out systemic circulation to assess pump function & inflow/outflow tracts
-Detects: size abnormalities of chambers (ventricles) & calculation of EF (%)
