Health Library

Echocardiogram
An echocardiogram is a procedure in which ultrasonic sound waves are used to assess the heart's function and structures.

Exercise Echocardiogram
An exercise echocardiogram is a procedure in which ultrasound, or sound wave technology, is used to asses the heart's response to stress or exercise.

Exercise Electrocardiogram
An exercise ECG is a simple and fast procedure that is used to evaluate the electrical activity of the heart's response to stress or exercise.

Dobutamine Stress Echocardiogram
A dobutamine stress echocardiogram is a diagnostic procedure in which an intravenous medication called dobutamine is used when an exercise stress test is not recommended. Dobutamine mimics the effects of exercise on the heart.

Cardiac Catheterization
Detailed information on a cardiac catheterization procedure, including how the procedure is performed, reasons for the procedure, and pre- and post-evaluation instructions

Cardiac Catheterization
Cardiac catheterization is a procedure in which a catheter is moved through a blood vessel to the heart in order to better diagnose coronary heart disease, valvular heart disease, congestive heart failure and other heart conditions.

Right Heart Catheterization
A right heart catheterization is performed to determine how well the heart is pumping and to measure the pressures in the heart and lungs.

Right Heart Catheterization with Heart Tissue Biopsy
Right heart catheterization with heart tissue biopsy is a procedure in which tissue samples are taken directly from the heart muscle. This procedure may be done in addition to a right heart cath to see if the heart tissue is normal.

Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA) and Stent Placement
During percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), a special catheter (long hollow tube) is inserted into coronary arteries that are blocked as a result of coronary artery disease (CAD), restoring arterial blood flow to the heart tissue without open-heart surgery.

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery (CABG)
Coronary artery bypass surgery is performed to treat a blockage or narrowing of one or more of the coronary arteries, thus restoring the blood supply to the heart muscle.

Why the Doctor Gives You an EKG or ECG
Did you know that electrical currents flow throughout your body? Because the strongest of these travels through your heart, doctors are able to monitor your heart by placing electrical sensors on the surface of your skin. They do this by giving you an electrocardiogram -- abbreviated either ECG or EKG (from the original German spelling of the word).

What Is Angioplasty?
When you feel chest pain from blocked arteries, you might see an interventional cardiologist for treatment.

Coronary Artery Disease and Angioplasty Quiz
Atherosclerosis, or coronary artery disease (CAD), plays a major role in the leading cause of death in this country: heart attack. Learn more about this disease and a common procedure used to treat it.