Cardiac Catheterization (diagnosis)
WHAT DOES IT CONSIST OF?
It is inserted through a small puncture in the groin or wrist, a thin, flexible tube (catheter) to the heart, through which the interventional cardiologist injects a fluid that is visualized in x-rays (contrast medium) and manages to visualize the arteries of the heart to diagnose partially or totally clogged arteries; likewise, through the same catheter, arteries can be uncovered with the use of balloons and/or stenting.
WHEN IS IT INDICATED?
The study will always be indicated by a doctor specialized in emergencies, internal medicine, cardiology or related specialty.
There are two ways to perform a catheterization. URGENTLY, when the patient has an acute heart attack or scheduled, in patients with symptoms of angina pectoris and alteration in a study such as stress testing, stress echocardiography or coronary tomography angiography. The main symptoms of angina and/or coronary heart disease are: pain or pressure sensation in the chest, neck, jaw or left arm, shortness of breath while walking, fainting, etc.
WHAT DO YOU DIAGNOSE?
Diagnosis and treatment of acute myocardial infarction (coronary angioplasty)
Atherosclerosis (clogged arteries)
Cardiac malformations at birth
Measurement of pressures within the heart and pulmonary and systemic circulation
Diagnosis and treatment of heart valve diseases
Correction of congenital heart defects among others
¿Cuáles son las indicaciones?
-
El estudio no requiere de preparación previa por parte del paciente salvo evitar la ingesta de líquidos y sólidos 8 horas antes del estudio
WHAT DOES IT CONSIST OF?
"Echocardiogram" or "Heart ultrasound" is a device that displays images of the heart in motion through sound waves. This test allows the doctor to see how the heart beats and pumps blood
WHEN IS IT INDICATED?
Chest pain, chest tightness, chest pressure (angina), shortness of breath
WHAT DO YOU DIAGNOSE?
-
Valve alterations.
-
Congenital heart disease
-
Heart sheath disorder (pericardium)
-
Cardiomyopathy (dilated or restricted heart)
-
Infarction
-
aortic disorder
-
atrial fibrillation
-
Pulmonary hypertension
-
thromboembolism
¿Cuáles son las indicaciones?
-
No es necesario ningún tipo de preparación especial antes de someterse a una ecocardiografía.
-
No es necesario que acuda en ayunas y si toma medicación de manera habitual, puede tomársela.
ECHOCARDIOGRAM
WHAT DOES IT CONSIST OF?
The stress echocardiogram studies the heart’s behavior in a situation of increased stress, either through exercise or a drug, which allows us to see if the heart receives enough blood flow and the correct functioning of the heart valves.
It is performed by combining the use of the transthoracic echocardiogram and a drug (dobutamine) that acts as a sleep exercise simulator (pharmacological stress echocardiogram) is administered.
WHEN IS IT INDICATED?
This study is usually indicated by an internist or cardiologist; it is performed when there is chest pain and suspicion of ischemic heart disease; symptoms that the patient does not normally manifest at rest, but when exercising.
WHAT DO YOU DIAGNOSE?
-
ischemic heart disease
-
Coronary disease
-
Heart symptoms that occur with exercise
¿Cuáles son las indicaciones?
-
Acudir en ayunas (unas 3 horas).
-
Dependiendo del fármaco que utilicen le pedirán que no tome chocolate, té, café ni ninguna bebida estimulante 24 hrs antes.
ECO STRESS
WHAT DOES IT CONSIST OF?
Transesophageal echocardiography is a procedure that uses ultrasound to produce real-time moving images of the heart’s interior. The patient is sedated and a tube is placed from the mouth to the stomach, which allows us to see this area more widely, thus detecting diseases that could not be seen in a common echocardiogram
WHEN IS IT INDICATED?
This study is requested by an internist or cardiologist, when there are suspicions of cardiac alterations and they want to do a more thorough examination.
WHAT DO YOU DIAGNOSE?
Through this procedure you can diagnose
-
Valve alterations.
-
Congenital heart disease
-
Heart sheath disorder (pericardium)
-
Cardiomyopathy (dilated or restricted heart)
-
Infarction
-
aortic disorder
-
atrial fibrillation
-
Pulmonary hypertension
-
thromboembolism
¿Cuáles son las indicaciones?
-
Acudir en ayunas (unas 4-6 horas).
-
Después de la prueba, no podrá ingerir alimentos hasta pasada una hora aproximadamente.
-
Si tiene dentadura postiza, la retiraremos al entrar en la sala.
ECO TRANS ESOPHAGEAL
WHAT DOES IT CONSIST OF?
The patient is placed in an endless band (gym runner), electrodes are attached to the chest, blood pressure is measured during the test, and they are asked to start walking or running.
WHEN IS IT INDICATED?
Shortness of breath, sweating, fainting, neck or arm pain during exercise. It is also used in Check Ups to assess heart conditions before exercise
WHAT DO YOU DIAGNOSE?
-
ischemic heart disease
-
High blood pressure
-
Angina pectoris
-
Poor fitness
-
Poor exercise response
¿Cuáles son las indicaciones?
-
En las 3 horas previas no se debe comer, fumar ni tomar bebidas alcohólicas.
-
En caso de realizarse a primera hora de la mañana, debe consultar a su médico si puede tomar algo de azúcar para evitar una hipoglucemia.
-
Evitar consumir cafeína (té, café, refrescos, chocolates…) las 24 horas previas al examen.
STRESS TEST
WHAT DOES IT CONSIST OF?
Study that measures your blood pressure for 24 hours; the patient is placed a bracelet attached to a computer at his or her waist.
WHEN IS IT INDICATED?
Blurred vision, headache, ringing in the ears.
WHAT DOES IT DIAGNOSE?
High blood pressure, when it is difficult to detect it with a common blood pressure test
¿Cuáles son las indicaciones?
-
Se debe acudir al consultorio con ropa ancha, de preferencia en lo que se refiere a las mangas.
-
Las mangas no deben obstruir la colocación y el correcto funcionamiento de la manga de presión arterial.
M.A.P.A. (Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring)
WHAT DOES IT CONSIST OF?
Ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring for 24 hours. Electrodes are placed in the chest connected to equipment at the patient’s waist.
WHEN IS IT INDICATED?
Fainting, chest tightness, chest pain, palpitations.
WHAT DO YOU DIAGNOSE?
-
arrhythmias
-
Physical fitness
-
Poor response to exercise
-
Tiredness or sleep during the day
¿Cuáles son las indicaciones?
-
No es necesario ningún tipo de preparación especial antes de someterse a la prueba.
HOLTER
WHAT DOES IT CONSIST OF?
The patient is laid on a table and slowly leans upwards. The test measures how your blood pressure and heart rate respond to the force of gravity.
WHEN IS IT INDICATED?
Episodes of dizziness, dizziness or repeated fainting without apparent cause. It is more common in women.
WHAT DIAGNOSES?
-
dysautonomia
¿Cuáles son las indicaciones?
-
La duración de la prueba no supera generalmente los 40 minutos y la única preparación a la cual debe someterse el paciente es el ayuno durante al menos 3 horas antes de la exploración.
TILTED TABLE
WHAT DOES IT CONSIST OF?
A study that evaluates the electrical activity of the heart, puts the patient to bed, attaches electrodes to the chest, and connects to a computer. It is a study that lasts about 5 minutes.
WHEN IS IT INDICATED?
Palpitations, chest pain or tightness, neck or arm pain, shortness of breath.
WHAT DO YOU DIAGNOSE?
arrhythmias
Angina pectoris
Heart attack
¿Cuáles son las indicaciones?
-
No se necesita ninguna preparación especial.
-
Informar al proveedor de atención médica sobre los medicamentos y suplementos que tomas. Estos pueden afectar los resultados del electrocardiograma.
ELECTROCARDIOGRAM
WHAT DOES IT CONSIST OF?
Non-invasive study that measures calcium in the artery of the heart; it is done with a special tomography that has this software. The patient is scanned and given electrodes in the chest.
WHEN IS IT INDICATED?
Palpitations, chest pain or tightness, neck or arm pain, shortness of breath. It is also used in Check Ups in patients who do not have symptoms and only want a heart check. It is recommended in patients who have any risk factors such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes or cholesterol/triglyceride alterations)
WHAT DOES IT DIAGNOSE?
It allows detecting the presence or absence of calcifications in the arteries of the heart and determines the risk of a heart attack. If the patient has high calcium, sometimes it is only medical treatment or cardiac catheterization is proposed
¿Cuáles son las indicaciones?
-
No portar objetos de metal como joyas, anteojos, dentaduras postizas, y broches para el cabello pueden afectar las imágenes de TAC.
-
Las mujeres siempre deben informar a su médico y al tecnólogo de TAC si existe la posibilidad de que pudieran estar embarazadas.
CALCIUM SCORE
