SERVICES | PCC

PREPARE FOR YOUR TEST

An echocardiogram is an ultrasound or sound wave test of the heart. It is used to evaluate the size, thickness, and pumping action of the heart. It can also help evaluate murmurs, valve problems, or fluid around the heart.
The test is non-invasive, which means no needles, catheters, or dyes are used. Ultrasound is used to create a picture of the heart, including the blood vessels, valves, atria, and ventricles. Gel is placed on the skin over the area to be studied. An instrument, called a transducer, is placed on your skin. Sound waves are transmitted from the transducer. The sound waves reflect off the tissues and organs to create a picture that can be seen on a screen. Blood flow through the blood vessels can be heard as the test is being completed.
How to prepare – wear comfortable, two-piece clothing.

A limited echocardiogram is essentially the same thing as a complete echocardiogram, except that it’s a condensed, shorter and often times faster exam. In a limited echocardiogram, the doctor who orders the exam will ask the ultrasound tech to look at a specific thing or things. For example, the doctor my only want to know what your aortic valve looks like. So the exam will only focus on that one things.

A Stress Echocardiogram incorporates a treadmill test along with imaging of the heart utilizing ultrasound (sound waves). The test will help your doctor determine if there are areas of your heart which do not receive enough blood supply due to coronary artery disease. Areas of your heart which may have been damaged from a previous heart attack may also be seen. Ultrasound images will be obtained before and immediately after exercise on a treadmill. During the treadmill, you will be continuously monitored for blood pressure, heart rate, rhythm and ECG changes.
The test takes approximately 1 hour. Stress Echo Instructions

Carotid ultrasound uses sound waves to produce pictures of the carotid arteries in the neck which carry blood from the heart to the brain. A Doppler ultrasound study – a technique that evaluates blood flow through a blood vessel – is usually part of this exam.

An Abdominal Aorta Duplex uses sound waves to check the circulation to the abdomen. The test is noninvasive, which means no needles, catheters, or dyes are used. Ultrasound is used to create a picture of the shape of tissues and organs inside your body. The walls of blood vessels, including any deposits or narrowing, can also be seen.
Gel is placed on the skin over the area to be studied. An instrument, called a transducer, is placed on your skin. Sound waves are transmitted from the transducer. The sound waves reflect off the tissues and organs to create a picture that can be seen on a screen. Blood flow through the blood vessels can be heard as the test is being completed.
How to prepare: Nothing to eat or drink 8 hours prior to the test. You may take small sips of water if medicine is necessary. Do NOT chew gum or smoke on the day of the test. When you eat, drink or even chew gum you swallow air into the stomach and bowel, which can reduce visibility of the arteries. Wear comfortable, two-piece clothing.

Sclerotherapy involves the injection of a substance called sclerosant into a varicose vein. The sclerosant causes the vein to close by scarring the inside of the vein. Blood flow reroutes in a natural way and the treated vein eventually dissolves. Your provider will prescribe you compression stockings to wear as a part of the treatment process, this will help prevent blood flow from returning to the treated area.
Sclerotherapy Instruction

Varithena™️ (polidocanol injectable foam) is a prescription medicine used to treat varicose veins caused by problems with the great saphenous vein (GSV) and other related veins in the leg’s GSV system. Varithena™️ improves symptoms related to or caused by varicose veins, and the appearance of varicose veins. Varithena™️ is administered by the doctor into the malfunctioning veins. The minimally invasive, nonsurgical treatment doesn’t require incisions. The doctor usually numbs the injection site, but no additional anesthesia is required.
Varithena Instructions

This is a pharmacological stress test using the chemical lexiscan. EKG electrodes will be placed on your chest and you will be connected to an EKG machine. During the stress test, you will be given a 10-second infusion of lexiscan. Lexiscan dilates the blood vessels and you may experience chest pressure during the infusion, headache, or nausea. You will be monitored throughout this portion of the test and explained any side affects you may experience. After the lexiscan infusion, the technologist will give you a second dose of the radioactive tracer. Once the stress test is completed and symptoms dissipate, you will wait about 45 minutes before taking the final pictures (stress images).

This stress test consists of walking on a treadmill. EKG electrodes will be placed on your chest and you will be connected to an EKG machine. The cardiovascular technologist will monitor you throughout the walking portion of the test. You will be asked to exercise until you reach your target heart rate or until you are unable to exercise further. The target heart rate is determined by your age. At this point, the nuclear technologist will inject a second dose of the radioactive tracer through the IV. You will be asked to walk for two more minutes after the injection.

The purpose of this test is to determine how your heart responds to stress and evaluate your cardiovascular status. You will be asked to walk on a treadmill until you reach a “target” heart rate based on your age. During the treadmill, you will be continuously monitored for blood pressure, heart rate, rhythm and ECG changes. The exercise portion of the test usually lasts for 5 to 15 minutes. You should allow about an hour for the entire test, which includes preparation, the exercise portion, and the recovery period.