Saginaw Testing

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Cardiolite Nuclear Imaging Test: Nuclear stress tests visualize the myocardium to help rule out coronary artery disease using rest and stress images. A Cardiologist compares the images to differentiate between normal, ischemic or infracted tissue. The patient has an IV and undergoes a stress test.
- Treadmill - Patient must be able to walk on treadmill. Patients should stop taking medications listed on the attached med sheet 1 day prior to the test date. This test take 3 1/2 hours to complete.
- Persantine – Patients should stop taking medications listed on the attached med sheet 1 day prior to the test date. This test takes 3 ½ hours to complete. (see note 1)
- Adenosine – Patients should stop taking medications listed on the attached med sheet 1 day prior to the test date. This test takes 3 ½ hours to complete. (see note 1

CT Scanning: Physicians examine the arteries that travel to the lungs, heart, neck, kidneys, pelvis, and legs to check for blockages and other problems.
Resting MUGA/1st Pass Study: For the evaluation of wall motion and ejection fraction. No preparation required. This test takes 1 ½ hours to complete.
Graded Exercise Test: Determines exercise capacity and tolerance. Patients must be able to exert themselves on a treadmill. See note 1 and discontinue medications listed on the attached medication sheet starting 1 day prior to the test date. This test takes 45 minutes to complete.

Holter Monitoring: Evaluates arrhythmias for a 24-hour period. During that time, the patient wears a monitor that records their heartbeats. No preparation required. This test takes 30 minutes to complete.

T-wave Alternans: Helps predict and prevent sudden cardiac death. Patient must be able to walk on a treadmill. See note 1 and call the MCVI testing center for contraindications. This test takes 45 minutes to complete.

Signal Average EKG: Used to identify irregular heartbeats and further evaluate arrhythmias noted on resting EKGs. No preparation required. Patient lies for 20 minutes while hooked to a monitor to evaluate heartbeats. This test takes 45 minutes to complete.

Echocardiography: Used to evaluate wall motion and structural abnormalities. No preparation required. This test takes 30 minutes to complete.
- With Contrast: This helps visualize the myocardium in sub-optimal studies. Patient will have an IV and receive an injection of contrast agent. This test takes 45 minutes to complete.
- Saline Bubbles: This helps in assessing septal defects. No preparation required. This test takes 45 minutes to complete.

Stress Echocardiography: Used to evaluate exercise induced wall motion abnormalities. See note 1. Patient must be able to tolerate an elevated workload on the treadmill. Patients should stop taking medications listed on the attached med sheet 1 day prior to the test date. This test takes 1 hour to complete. (see note 1)
- With Contrast: This helps visualize the myocardium in sub-optimal studies. This test takes 1 hour to complete.

Peripheral Vascular Studies: Used to evaluate for peripheral vascular diseases, thrombosis, aneurysms, embolisms, edema, and atherosclerosis.
- Ankle Brachial Indices: No preparation required.
  This test takes 30 minutes to complete.
- Arterial Doppler (upper or lower extremity): No preparation required. This test takes 45 minutes to complete.
- Arterial Duplex (upper or lower extremity): No preparation required. This test takes 45 minutes to complete.
- Venous Duplex (upper or lower extremity): No preparation required. This test takes 45 minutes to complete.
- Renal Artery Duplex: NPO after midnight.
  This test takes 1 ½ hours to complete.
- Visceral Duplex: NPO after midnight. This test takes 1 hour to complete.
- Carotid Doppler: No preparation required.
  This test takes 30 minutes to complete.
- Abdominal Vascular Studies: NPO after midnight. This test takes 1 hour to complete.
- Pulmonary Function Tests: Used to detect the presence or absence of lung disease.
- Spirometry: See notes 1 and 2. This test takes 15 minutes to complete.
- Spirometry & Diffusion (DLCO): See notes 1 and 2. Follow-up with patients on Cordorone. This test takes 30 minutes to complete.
- Complete Pulmonary Function Test: See notes 1 and 2. This test takes 1 hour to complete.
- With Bronchodilators: See notes 1 and 2. Used to help determine airway obstruction and evaluation of alternative drug regimens. This test takes 1 hour to complete.

Note 1: All stress testing exams and pulmonary tests require the patient to be NPO for 2 hours prior to the test. Patient should have no caffeine, decaffeinated, or tobacco products for 12 hours before the exam. Patient should wear loose fitting clothes and no lotions or metal should be worn on the chest area. Patient should be able to follow directions.

Note 2: Pulmonary patients should withhold inhaled bronchodilators 4 hours prior to test unless in distress. These tests are contraindicated for those with recent eye surgery, cerebral or large aortic aneurysms, untreated angina, arrhythmias, hypertension or allergies to Albuterol and/or bronchodilators.

Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitor: Lightweight and comfortable to wear, this non-invasive Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) device measures blood pressure in 24-hour cycles and can effectively identify sustained hypertension. Each measurement is stored in this compact device and later uploaded for physician’s interpretation.

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