Your First Visit Your first visit with our medical staff will be with one of our nurses.  She will weigh you and take your blood pressure.  You will then be placed in an examination room for an EKG and possibly a chest x-ray.  These tests provide important clinical information which will help the physician during the exam.   EKG (Resting Electrocardiogram) Before the EKG, you will be given a gown and then asked to disrobe above the waist.  Electrodes will be put on each arm and leg and at six points on your chest.  An EKG records the electrical activity of the heart.  It is a painless test which determines the electrical conduction of the heart and the heart rhythm.   Your Physician Your physician will examine you and then review with you the information which he and the nurse have obtained.  The doctor will discuss any symptoms which you may be experiencing.  At this time, he may recommend further testing to better evaluate your condition.   Stress Test A stress test is a series of exercise EKGs which measures the function of the heart under the stress of physical activity on a treadmill.  Your blood pressure and pulse are measured before, during and after the test.  During the stress test, the doctor looks for changes in the EKG and blood pressure patterns which can help determine coronary artery disease.  Each patient remains on the treadmill according to his/her own capability.  In certain cases, the physician may recommend a stress test combined with radionuclide imaging.  This is performed at the hospital.   Echocardiogram (ECHO) and Doppler The ECHO technique uses ultrasound waves to produce an image of the heart and measures its function and structure.  When combined with color-flow Doppler, it traces the movement of blood through the heart by means of an ultrasonic microphone.  For this test, it is necessary for the patient to remove clothing to expose his/her upper body.  The patient is asked to lie down in different positions so that the heart can be viewed at various angles.   Stress Echocardiogram In some special circumstances, the cardiologist may order a stress echocardiogram, to further evaluate the heart.  This test combines the stress test (walking on a treadmill) with an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart).   Holter or King of Hearts Monitor When necessary, a patient is sent home with a Holter Monitor attached to his/her chest with electrodes.  The Holter Monitor is a continuous EKG recorded on audio cassette tape over a 24-hour period.  This enables the doctor to see every heartbeat within this time period and attempts to document and diagnose irregular heart rhythms.  The King of Hearts records specific cardiac events over several weeks.  Normal daily activity is encouraged during the use of these monitors.   If necessary, the following diagnostic tests/treatments may be recommended.  They are performed at BRCC's Outpatient Cath Lab (directly behind Our Lady of the Lake Medical Center) or in the hospital.   Cardiac Catheterization (Angiography) Cardiac catheterization is an x-ray test used to evaluate the structure and function of the heart as well as pinpoint blockages in the coronary arteries.  It is a nonsurgical procedure performed with the patient awake but mildly sedated.   Following a local anesthetic, a soft narrow plastic tube, known as a catheter, is inserted into a vein or an artery in the arm or leg.  The catheter is then advanced through the blood-vessel into a heart chamber or to a coronary artery.  Special x-ray dye is injected through the catheter and x-ray films are taken.  This is the most accurate test for finding blockages in the coronary arteries.   After evaluation of the cardiac catheterization, several forms of treatment may be recommended.   Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA) The preparation for PTCA (balloon angioplasty) is very similar to a cardiac catheterization.  In fact, sometimes it may be performed at the same time.  Balloon angioplasty is a technique in which a small plastic tube with a balloon fixed to its end is inserted at the site of the blockage.  The balloon is inflated to flatten the blockage against the wall of the artery and opens a channel through which blood can pass.  It is deflated, then removed.   Coronary Stent The preparation for coronary stent placement is very similar to a cardiac catheterization.  Coronary stenting is a technique in which a tiny, expandable mesh tube is placed in the artery permanently.  This stainless steel tube (stent) keeps the coronary artery open for the passage of bloodflow.   Cardiovascular Surgery Coronary artery bypass may be recommended.  This consists of taking a vein (from the leg) or an artery from the chest wall (internal mammary artery) and bypassing the area of blockage in the native heart circulation.  Some patients may require surgery for heart valve repair or replacement.  The typical hospital stay for these procedures is from 5 to 7 days.   Pacemaker Implantation If the heartbeat is too slow, a pacemaker may be necessary to electrically stimulate the heart.  This is performed under local anesthesia.  With the patient awake, a soft metal tipped catheter is advanced through a vein into a heart chamber.  This electrical lead is connected to a battery source that is placed under the skin on the chest.  The pacemaker only discharges when the heart's own impulses are not sufficient.     BRCC Home / About BRCC / Meet Our Team / Getting Started / Patient Forms / Treatment Options / Patient Resources / Diet & Nutrition / Locations & Hours / Driving Instructions / Links of Interest / Contact Us Copyright © 2003 Baton Rouge Cardiology Center Website support ...... Cardiology Education & Coding Resources, LLC Latest Update 08/18/2003	Baton Rouge Cardiology Center 5231 Brittany Drive Baton Rouge,  LA  70808 Phone:  (225) 769-0933 Fax:  (225) 769-6255
		We strive to provide our patients with information that will help them understand cardiac procedures employed in their treatment.  If you have questions or suggestions for information to include in this site, please let us know.