CARDIOVASCULAR TESTING AND PROCEDURES

ADULT ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY

Adult Echocardiography (Echocardiogram) is a diagnostic test that uses ultrasound waves to make images of the heart chambers, valves, and surrounding structures. It can measure cardiac output and is a sensitive test for fluid around the heart (pericardial effusion).

Dr. Brackett and Dr. Mansour hold the distinction of adult echocardiography testamur. This requires the completion of a special competence examination to optimize skill in the performance and interpretation of cardiac ultrasound. Cardiology Associates echo lab is accredited with ICAEL.

BUBBLE STUDY ECHOCARDIOGRAM

Bubble Study Echocardiogram is the same procedure as an echocardiogram, except an IV is placed in the patient’s arm. During certain portions of the imaging, sterile saline with bubbles is injected into the vein. It can detect a patent foramen ovale, the flow of blood between the right atrium and left atrium of the heart.

CAROTID ULTRASOUND

A carotid ultrasound, also known as a Carotid Duplex, is a non-invasive imaging test that uses sound waves to visualize and assess blood flow in the carotid arteries. These arteries, located in the neck, supply blood to the brain. The test can help detect Plaques, Blood Clots, and Narrowing of the Arteries, which can increase the risk of stroke.

ARTERIAL ULTRASOUND

Arterial Ultrasound is a noninvasive ultrasound method (also called a duplex study) used to examine the blood circulation in the arms and legs. Noninvasive means the procedure does not require the use of needles, dyes, radiation or anesthesia.

ABDOMINAL ULTRASOUND

Abdominal Ultrasound is a type of imaging test. It is used to look at organs in the abdomen, including the liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, and kidneys. The blood vessels that lead to some of these organs, such as the inferior vena cava and aorta, can also be examined with ultrasound.

RENAL ULTRASOUND (KIDNEY)

A renal ultrasound is a noninvasive diagnostic exam that produces images which are used to assess the blood flow, size, shape and location of the kidneys.

VENOUS DOPPLER ULTRASOUND

Venous Doppler ultrasound is a diagnostic test used to check the circulation in the large veins in the legs (or sometimes the arms). This exam shows any blockage in the veins by a blood clot or “thrombus” formation.

STRESS ECHOCARDIOGRAM TEST

Stress testing is a test of cardiovascular capacity made by monitoring the heart rate during a period of increasingly strenuous exercise, usually performed on a treadmill.
Instructions for Stress Echocardiogram

NUCLEAR STRESS TEST – MYOCARDIAL PERFUSION STUDY

A Myocardial Perfusion Study, also known as a Nuclear Stress Test, is a non-invasive imaging test that assesses blood flow to the heart muscle (myocardium). This test may be done with or without exercise. It helps diagnose and assess conditions like coronary artery disease, heart damage from heart attacks, and blood flow patterns.

A small amount of a radioactive tracer is injected into a vein, and a special camera (gamma camera) is used to detect the tracer’s distribution in the heart. The tracer will be absorbed by healthy heart tissue, and areas with poor blood flow will show up as darker areas on the scan.

Dr. Steinberg and Dr. Patel  are certified in nuclear cardiology tests.

Instructions for Nuclear Stress Test

NUCLEAR PET SCAN (Positron Emission Tomography)

A nuclear PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scan of the heart is a non-invasive imaging test that uses radioactive tracers to visualize the heart and its blood flow, helping doctors diagnose and assess heart conditions. It provides detailed 3D images of the heart’s activity, showing how well the heart muscle is working and where blood flow may be restricted. A nuclear PET scan is the fastest, most accurate way to detect heart disease and any abnormalities that could possibly have the potential for a heart attack. This test may also help your cardiologist to devise a more specific treatment plan for patients with known coronary artery disease or heart attack.

If you are scheduled for a nuclear PET scan, you will be given detailed instructions in preparation for your test, and during the testing process. If you have any further questions, please contact our offices at 805-278-4020.

Instructions for PET SCAN

CARDIOVASCULAR COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY (CARDIAC CT)

Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (Cardiac CT) – Also known as computed tomography; computed axial tomography scan (CAT scan). A cardiac CT scan is a painless imaging test that uses x rays to take many detailed pictures of your heart and its blood vessels. An electron beam CT scanner also can show calcium in coronary arteries.

Dr. Alon Steinberg is certified to interpret Cardiac CT scans.

HOSPITAL PROCEDURES

HEART CATHETERIZATION

Cardiac Catheterization is a procedure used to diagnose and treat cardiovascular conditions. It is performed as an outpatient procedure in the hospital. During cardiac catheterization, a long thin tube called a catheter is inserted in an artery or vein in the groin, neck or arm (transradial) and threaded through your blood vessels to the heart to determine if there is disease of the heart muscle, valves or coronary (heart) arteries. During the procedure, the pressure and blood flow in the heart can be measured.

PERCUTANEOUS CORONARY INTERVENTION (PCI)

During a cardiac catheterization if it is determined that there are blockages that would benefit from a coronary stent, then a small tube-shaped device (stent) will be placed via the already in-place catheter, to keep the blocked coronary arteries open and increasing blood flow to the heart.

Dr. Shaun Patel, Dr. Omid Fatemi and Dr. Sogomonian are Interventional Cardiologists at Cardiology Associates.

CTO PERCUTANEOUS CORONARY INTERVENTION

CTO percutaneous coronary intervention is a minimally invasive technique used to treat patients with chronic total occlusion (CTO), or complete blockages, of the coronary arteries.

Dr. Omid Fatemi specializes in this procedure.

ADVANCED STRUCTURAL HEART PROCEDURES

Dr. Omid Fatemi

Dr. Fatemi performs more advanced procedures within our structural heart program. Dr. Fatemi is the Director for the Structural Heart Department at Community Memorial Hospital and St. John’s Regional Medical Center.

These procedures include:

TAVR
WATCHMAN
AORTIC VALVULOPLASTY		 MITRAL CLIP
PFO CLOSURE
ASD CLOSURE
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How Structural Heart Expertise Addresses Heart Issues with Dr. Omid Fatemi Omid Fatemi, MD

by Omid Fatemi, MD

ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY

Dr. Jonathan Dukes

Dr. Jonathan Dukes, Cardiac Electrophysiology Physician, provides the most advanced evaluations, treatments and procedures for atrial fibrillation (AFib) and other circuitry issues to Ventura County residents. Dr. Dukes is the Director of Electrophysiology at Community Memorial Hospital.

Dr. Jonathan Dukes performs pacemaker and defibrillator implantations.
Dr. Shaun Patel also performs pacemaker implantations.

ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY TESTING

EVENT MONITORING

A cardiac event recorder is a battery-powered portable device that you control to tape-record your heart’s electrical activity (ECG) when you have symptoms. There are two types of event recorders: a loop memory monitor and a symptom event monitor. The FDA-cleared ZIO Patch is a small, adhesive, water-resistant one lead ECG sensor that the user can stick onto their chest for a continuous 24-hour monitoring over 2 weeks, but it is only approved on some insurance plans.

TILT TABLE TEST

A tilt table test (TTT) can detect arrhythmias, which are irregular heartbeats. During the test, the patient is tilted upright to simulate the effects of standing. This allows doctors to observe how the heart and blood pressure respond to the change in posture, revealing potential arrhythmias or other heart issues.

ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY PROCEDURES

PACEMAKER IMPLANTATION

A pacemaker insertion is the implantation of a small electronic device that is usually placed in the chest (just below the collarbone) to help regulate slow electrical problems of the heart. A pacemaker may be recommended to ensure that the heartbeat does not slow to a dangerously low rate.

DEFIBILLATOR IMPLANTATION

An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is a small, battery-powered device placed under the skin, typically in the chest, to monitor and correct life-threatening heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias). It can deliver electrical shocks to restore a normal heart rhythm when needed.

 

PACEMAKER AND DEFIBRILLATOR BATTERY REPLACEMENT

Battery replacement depends on how often your system uses the device. You will be advised about your battery life during routine device monitoring.

LEADLESS PACEMAKER

A leadless pacemaker is an implantable pulse generator (IPG), an implanted medical device that restores your heart rate to a more normal rhythm by stimulating the heart with precisely timed pulses of electricity. Unlike most pacemakers that have leads that go into heart, leadless pacemakers are implanted directly into the heart and have no leads.

CARDIAC RESYNCHRONIZATION THERAPY (CRT) DEVICES

CRT stands for cardiac resynchronization therapy. A CRT device is a pacemaker or defibrillator that sends small electrical impulses through leads to one upper and the two lower chambers of your heart. You don’t feel them, but they help all three chambers beat in sync. This makes it easier for your heart to pump blood and oxygen throughout your body.

IMPLANTABLE MONITORING DEVICE

Reveal LINQ, Insertable Cardiac Monitor, is the world’s smallest implantable cardiac monitoring device. The procedure to implant one just takes a few minutes to perform as an outpatient. It records the heart rhythm continuously to capsure recurrent unexplained episodes of palpitations.

CATHETER ABLATION

Catheter ablation is a minimally invasive procedure to treat cardiac arrhythmias. It can relieve symptoms and improve quality of life. During an ablation, the doctor destroys small areas in the heart that are firing off abnormal electrical impulses and causing atrial fibrillation, aflutter, ventricular tachycardia, supraventricular tachycardia or premature ventricular contractions. Dr. Dukes and Dr. Kim also perform Pulse Field Ablations.

ADVANCED ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY PROCEDURES

Dr. Jonathan Dukes

Dr. Jonathan Dukes, Cardiac Electrophysiology Physician, provides the most advanced evaluations, treatments and procedures for atrial fibrillation (AFib) and other circuitry issues to Ventura County residents. Dr. Dukes is the Director of Electrophysiology at Community Memorial Hospital.
Dr. Jonathan Dukes specializes in complex ablations and are accepting new patients for first-time evaluations and new patients seeking to have a redo ablation.

Advanced Electrophysiology procedures include:

WATCHMAN
ABLATION
AFib ABLATION ATRIAL FLUTTER ABLATION		 SVT ABLATION
VT ABLATION
PVC (Premature Ventricular Contraction)
PULSE FIELD ABLATION
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PERIPHERAL VASCULAR PROCEDURES

Dr. Shaun Patel

Dr. Robert Sogomonian

Dr. Shaun Patel and Dr. Robert Sogomonian are board-certified in endovascular procedures.
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PERIPHERAL ANGIOGRAM

A peripheral angiogram is a medical imaging test that uses X-rays and a special dye (contrast) to visualize blood vessels in the extremities, such as the legs and arms. It’s a crucial tool for diagnosing conditions like peripheral artery disease (PAD), blockages, or other abnormalities in the arterial system

ENDOVASCULAR PERCUTANEOUS ANGIOPLASTY INTERVENTION

Endovascular Percutaneous Angioplasty Intervention – Endovenous percutaneous angioplasty, also known as percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) or endovascular angioplasty, is a minimally invasive procedure used to open blocked or narrowed veins. It involves inserting a thin tube (catheter) with a balloon on its tip into the vein, inflating the balloon to widen the vessel, and sometimes placing a stent (a small mesh tube) to keep it open. Endovascular percutaneous angioplasty intervention may include transfemoral carotid artery, subclavian, and lower extremity for claudication.

ENDOVASCULAR ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSM (AAA) REPAIR

Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Repair, or EVAR, is a minimally invasive surgical procedure to repair weakened areas in the aorta, the large blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. It involves inserting a stent through small incisions in the groin, guided by X-rays, to reinforce the aorta and prevent the aneurysm from bursting.

SUBCLAVIAN VEIN STENTING 

Subclavian vein stenting is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat narrowing or blockage (stenosis) in the subclavian vein, a major vein in the upper body that carries blood back to the heart. Stents are small, expandable mesh tubes that are inserted into the vein to open it up and restore proper blood flow. This procedure is often performed to address conditions like venous thoracic outlet syndrome or to manage blockages caused by central lines or other medical devices.
Venous disease, deep and superficial veins including iliac vein stenting and venous thrombectomy for deep vein thrombosis

ILIAC VEIN STENTING 

Iliac vein stenting is a procedure that uses a stent, a small mesh tube, to open and maintain the patency of the iliac veins, which are in the pelvis. This procedure is often performed to treat iliac vein compression, also known as May-Thurner syndrome and other conditions that lead to chronic venous insufficiency, such as pelvic congestion syndrome.

VENOUS THROMBECTOMY

Venous thrombectomy is a surgical procedure used to remove a blood clot (thrombus) from a vein, typically used to treat deep vein thrombosis (DVT) when other treatments aren’t effective. It can be performed percutaneously.

PULMONARY EMBOLISM TREATMENT

Pulmonary embolism treatment, including mechanical thrombectomy and catheter-directed thrombolysis
Vein Center

Varicose Veins Treatment

Endovenous Ablation is an image-guided, minimally invasive treatment for varicose veins. It uses radiofrequency or laser energy to cauterize (burn) and close the varicose veins. The results are remarkable. Patients who suffer with painful, disfiguring varicose veins now have the opportunity for a simple procedure with minimal pain.

Our vein lab founded in 2009, is located in Oxnard, CA. We treat patients who meet medically based requirements. Vein ablations are covered by most insurances.

Dr. Shaun Patel and Dr. Robert Sogomonian are board-certified in endovascular procedures.

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