Cardiovascular diagnostics

-series of radiographs taken after injection of radiopaque dye into an artery
-aids in diagnosis of vessel occlusion, pooling in various heart chambers, and congenital anomalies

-visualizes the abdominal aorta and major leg arteries by using dye injected through femoral artery and into the aorta
-aneurysms and many other abnormalities can be diagnosed
-contrast media may also be used

-invasive procedure used to visualize the hearts chambers, valves, great vessels, and coronary arteries
-used to measure pressure within a heart and blood-volume realationship to cardiac competence
-contrast dye (iodine) may be used for better angiography results
-pt lies supine with pressure at insertion site to prevent hemorrhage
-blood samples are obtained

-graphic study of electrical activities of the myocardium
-has 3 distinct waves, P wave, QRS complex, and T wave
-has 10 electrodes, 6 are placed on on chest, and 4 on limbs
-conductive gel used to enhance contact transmission
-if no variation of position is required, pt lies in supine position

-ambulatory ECG with tape recorder
-journal of activities/symptoms kept
-attached by one to four leads
-operates continously
-can note things that affect/precipitate dysrythmias
-may be used when resting state may has normal ECG

electronic transmission of data to a distant location, such as an ECG transmitter sending info to the oscilloscope, can be directly connected or wireless

If a pt is on an ambulatory ECG, do you remove it to allow for a shower?

-pt is pushed to a point of exertion to evaluate ischemia, dysrhythmia, and extent of cardiac capability under extreme circumstances
-if pt cant tolerate physical activity, may be done by administering dipyridamole (Persantine) or adenosine which will put stress on the heart similar to that of the activity

-uses thallium 201 to visualize blood flow, which is injected via IV while on treadmill
-inadequate blood flow will not show and a 'cold spot' is produced
-breast tissue can produce artifact, which may produce false positive, technetium 99m sestamibi may be used to help minimize artifact and improve accuracy
-if cant tolerate physical exercise, dipyridamole (Persantine) or adenosine may be administered instead

-high frequency ultrasound directed at heart
-the echo (reflected sound) is graphically recorded

-computerized radiographic technique that uses radioactive substances (inhaled or injected) to examine the metabolic activity of various body structures
-has been used to study dementia, stroke, epilepsy, tumors, and detecting CAD (noninvasively) in asymptomatic pt
-distinguuishes between viable and nonviable myocardial tissue, which helps determine whether or not bypass surgery or angioplasty would be appropriate for the pt