SERVICES PROVIDED
To provide our patients the best level of care and treatment, Cardiology Associates of Corpus Christi offers both noninvasive and invasive procedures, as well as diagnostic testing at our main office location.
Our services also include three ancillary clinics at our central location for Anti Coagulation, Congestive Heart Failure, and Rhythm Devices.
ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHY
Cardiac Nuclear Imaging
Exercise Stress Testing
Cardiac Nuclear Imaging
Cardiac Nuclear Imaging
What is Cardiac Nuclear Imaging?
Cardiac Nuclear Imaging checks the blood flow through the heart’s muscle, or walls. A small amount of radioactive matter, or tracer, is given through a vein in the arm. The tracer passes through the blood and a scanning camera is used to take pictures of your heart as blood flows through it.
The scanning is done during and after exercise. A drug can be used to substitute for exercise. You will be notified of your results within one week. These results assist your physician in planning your medical treatment and any additional tests that may be needed. It is very important that you carefully follow the Patient Instructions for Nuclear Stress Test to avoid rescheduling.
Please call the main office if you are unable to keep your appointment or there will be a charge for the radioisotope.
Exercise Stress Test
An exercise stress test, or stress electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) records your heartbeat while walking on a treadmill. It is a way to track your heart’s response to exercise and assists your physician in evaluating the cause of your chest pain.
During the test, electrodes are placed on your upper body to monitor your heart rate. The treadmill exercise test starts out easy and then slowly gets more difficult. Your heartbeat and blood pressure will be monitored during and after the stress test.
The test usually takes about 30 minutes from start to finish. You will need to wear a two-piece outfit and comfortable walking shoes for this test.
ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY & ULTRASOUND
Cardiac Echo (2D & Doppler)
What is an Echocardiogram? An echocardiogram, or echo, uses harmless sound waves to produce an image of your heart. The sonographer will move a transducer, a device that sends and receives sound waves, over your chest. The sound waves are converted by a computer into images on a television screen. These images assist your physician in evaluating your heart, heart size, function, and structures. There are no special instructions prior to the test. You will need to wear a two piece outfit. The test will take approximately one hour. The results will be sent to your primary care physician.
Stress Echo
What is a Stress Echo (also referred to as an Exercise Stress Echo)? An exercise stress echocardiogram is an ultrasound of your heart taken before and after exercise. It produces moving images that show how well your heart functions under stress. Providers use this test to diagnose or monitor heart conditions and ensure you get the treatment you need.
Aorta Ultrasound
What is an Aorta Ultrasound? An ultrasound of the aorta, often referred to an abdominal aortic ultrasound is a non-invasive, painless test that uses high-frequency sound waves to view the aorta, the main blood vessel leading away from the heart. The ultrasound is also able to capture video in real time.
Carotid Doppler
What is a Carotid Doppler?A carotid artery Doppler ultrasound is a diagnostic test used to check the circulation in the large arteries in the neck. This exam shows any blockage in the veins by a blood clot or “thrombus” formation.
PERIPHERAL VASCULAR ULTRASOUND
Peripheral vascular ultrasounds are noninvasive studies that create images of the body’s blood vessels using sound waves. A small probe called a transducer emits high-frequency sound waves and sends the waves that bounce back to a computer which uses them to create an image. Peripheral Vascular Ultrasounds provide real-time images of the veins and arteries.
Doppler Ultrasound
Doppler ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of moving parts of the body. Doppler ultrasound is used to evaluate blood flow during a peripheral vascular study.
Duplex Ultrasound
Duplex ultrasound is a type of ultrasound exam that uses two types of ultrasound technologies: Doppler ultrasound and traditional ultrasound. The two types of ultrasound provide images of the veins and arteries as well as the blood moving through them. Duplex ultrasound can be used in several ways to diagnose peripheral vascular problems.
- Arterial Duplex Ultrasound: Arterial duplex ultrasounds are used to view arteries in the arms, legs, abdomen, and neck. A carotid duplex ultrasound is a type of arterial duplex ultrasound used to look at the carotid artery in the neck.
- Venous Duplex Ultrasound: Venous duplex ultrasounds are used to view veins in the arms, legs, and abdomen. A common form of this test is a lower-extremity venous duplex ultrasound, also called a venous ultrasound study.
CARDIAC MONITORING and RHYTHM DEVICE CLINIC
Cardiac Monitoring
Pacemaker checks and Defibrillator Checks are monitored in our office by our staff at our Arrhythmia Device Clinic during normal business hours.
Rhythm Device Clinic
We provide rhythm device testing in our office. Most monitors are provided in our office. We provide rhythm monitors of these types:
Insight Monitoring (3-7 day monitoring)
Cardio-Key Monitor (3-7 day monitoring) or (7-14 day monitoring for some insurances)
MCT (mobile Cardiac Telemetry) (up to 30 day monitoring)
CLINICS
We provide Anti Coagulation / Coumadin Clinic and a Congestive Heart Failure Clinic.
Anticoagulation Clinics (ACs) are services specialized in management of patients on anticoagulant treatment. We provide diagnosis, treatment and prevention of thromboembolic diseases.
Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a serious chronic health condition that affects millions of people in the U.S. CHF can result from several conditions that affect your heart’s ability to fill properly and pump blood through your body. Getting the right diagnosis and proper treatment from our physicians can slow down the disease progression and help you live a longer, healthier life.
INVASIVE & INTERVENTIONAL PROCEDURES
If your physician suspects that you have heart disease, you can count on us to provide care and services to fit your cardiac needs. We provide our patients the best level of care and treatment, Cardiology Associates of Corpus Christi offers invasive and interventional procedures.
Our Invasive and Interventional Procedures include:
Cardiac Catheterization, Balloon & Stent Angioplasty, Pacemaker Implantation,
Defibrillator Implantation, Transesophageal Echocardiography, Electrophysiology (EPS), Catheter Ablation, Lead Removals, Transluminal Extraction Catheter, Rotoblator, Atherectomy, Watchman device, and TVAR - Transcatheter aortic valve replacement.