Faith Regional Diagnostic Imaging performs a variety of diagnostic services on both an inpatient and outpatient basis on West campus including:

Adenosine Cardiolyte Stress Test
An Adenosine Cardiolyte Stress test shows the condition of the heart and its arteries. The results of this test help your doctor see if the coronary arteries have become narrowed or blocked to a point that parts of the heart do not work as well.

Angiography (Arteriography)
An arteriography is the injection of contrast (x-ray dye) into an artery, which is then directly viewed using a camera to take pictures to show any blockages.

Catheterization
A heart catheterization, also called a coronary angiogram, is a nonsurgical test that looks at your coronary arteries (blood vessels that supply your heart with oxygen). During the test, the doctor inserts a catheter (a very narrow, soft, flexible plastic tube) into the arteries of the heart. A special contrast (x-ray dye) is injected into the arteries at the same time a camera takes pictures to show any blockage in the arteries of your heart. At this time the doctor may also view how effectively your heart is pumping and check the opening and closing of the valves.

CT Scanning
CT (computed tomography), sometimes called CAT (computed axial tomography) scan, uses special x-ray equipment to obtain image data from different angles around the body and then uses computer processing of the information to show a cross-section of body tissues and organs.

CT imaging is particularly useful because it can show several types of tissue—lung, bone, soft tissue and blood vessels—with great clarity. Using specialized equipment and expertise to create and interpret CT scans of the body, radiologists can more easily diagnose problems such as cancers, cardiovascular disease, infectious disease, trauma and musculoskeletal disorders.

> Click here to learn more about faster, safer CT exams at Faith Regional

Carotid Ultrasound
The carotid ultrasound is done to detect blockages in the carotid arteries. The carotid arteries are on both sides of your neck and supply blood flow to your brain.

Diagnostic Ultrasound Imaging
Ultrasound imaging, also called ultrasound scanning or sonography, is a method of obtaining images from inside the human body through the use of high-frequency sound waves. The reflected sound wave echoes are recorded and displayed as a real-time visual image. No ionizing radiation (x-ray) is involved in ultrasound imaging. Obstetric ultrasound refers to the specialized use of sound waves to visualize and thus determine the condition of a pregnant woman and her embryo or fetus.

Ultrasound is a useful way of examining many of the body's internal organs, including but not limited to the heart, liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, kidneys and bladder. Because ultrasound images are captured in real time, they can show movement of internal tissues and organs and enable physicians to see blood flow and heart valve functions. This can help to diagnose a variety of heart conditions and to assess damage after a heart attack or other illness.

Venous Ultrasound
The venous ultrasound is done to detect clots within the deep veins of the body.

Echocardiogram
An Echocardiogram is a test that uses ultrasound waves to look at the heart. It measures the size of the chambers and the thickness of the heart muscle. It takes pictures of the heart valves and shows how they work. An echo shows how the heart is pumping and helps your doctor see other problems that your heart may have.

Stress Echocardiogram
A Stress Echocardiogram determines how the heart handles stress and how it works with exercise as you walk on a treadmill. This includes ultrasound views of your heart before and after walking on a treadmill to show heart wall is working.

Dobutamine Stress Echocardiogram
Sometimes a patient can’t walk on the treadmill. In this instance, a special medication called Dobutamine is given to make the heart work as if you were exercising. During a Dobutamine Stress Echocardiogram, pictures are taken by a video camera to help your doctor see how the muscle, valves and other parts of your heart are working.

Electrocardiogram
An electrocardiogram, also known as an EKG or ECG, is the electrical tracing of your heart.  An EKG is used to diagnose an electrical problem with the heart, it also shows changes that can help diagnose a person having a heart attack.

Electrophysiology Study
An Electrophysiology Study helps your doctor evaluate abnormal heart rhythms called arrhythmia. An arrhythmia is a change in the speed (pace) or the pattern of the heartbeat. The change in pace may be due to the heart beating too slowly, too fast or it may be irregular. Sometimes these irregular heart rhythms feel like a “skipping or fluttering” in the person’s chest. Another symptom of an arrhythmia is the feeling of light-headedness, fainting, shortness of breath or even chest pain. The arrhythmia is serious when the rate is too fast or too slow to pump blood effectively.

Event Monitor
An event monitor is a patient-activated device used to record heart rhythms and diagnostically evaluate symptoms such as dizziness, palpitations, syncope and chest pain.

Holter Monitor
Description – a continuous heart rhythm recording device designed to provide diagnostic analysis of symptoms suspected to be of cardiac origin such as dizziness, palpitations, syncope and chest pain.

Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA)
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a method of producing extremely detailed pictures of body tissues and organs without the need for x-rays. The electromagnetic energy that is released when exposing a patient to radiofrequency waves in a strong magnetic field is measured and analyzed by a computer, which forms two- or three-dimensional images that may be viewed on a TV monitor. MR angiography (MRA) is an MRI study of the blood vessels. It utilizes MRI technology to detect, diagnose and aid the treatment of heart disorders, stroke, and blood vessel diseases. MRA provides detailed images of blood vessels without using any contrast material, although a special form of contrast material is often given to make the MRI images even clearer. The procedure is painless, and the magnetic field is not known to cause tissue damage of any kind.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scan
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses radiofrequency waves and a strong magnetic field rather than x-rays to provide remarkably clear and detailed pictures of internal organs and tissues. The technique has proven very valuable for the diagnosis of a broad range of pathologic conditions in all parts of the body including cancer, heart and vascular disease, stroke, and joint and musculoskeletal disorders. MRI requires specialized equipment and expertise and allows evaluation of some body structures that may not be as visible with other imaging methods

Nuclear Medicine
Nuclear medicine is a subspecialty within the field of radiology. It comprises diagnostic examinations that result in images of body anatomy and function. The images are developed based on the detection of energy emitted from a radioactive substance given to the patient, either intravenously or by mouth. Generally, radiation to the patient is similar to that resulting from standard x-ray examinations.

Nuclear medicine images can assist the physician in diagnosing diseases. Tumors, infection and other disorders can be detected by evaluating organ function. Specifically, nuclear medicine can be used to:

• Analyze kidney function
• Image blood flow and function of the heart
• Scan lungs for respiratory and blood-flow problems
• Identify blockage of the gallbladder
• Evaluate bones for fracture, infection, arthritis or tumor
• Determine the presence or spread of cancer
• Identify bleeding into the bowel
• Locate the presence of infection
• Measure thyroid function to detect an overactive or underactive thyroid

Nuclear Medicine Treadmill Stress Test (Cardiolyte)
A Nuclear Treadmill Stress Test is similar to the regular stress test. It provides the doctor with additional information through the use of a radioactive medication (Cardiolyte) to evaluate the coronary blood flow. A Nuclear Treadmill Stress Test can indicate the following:

• Which areas of the heart are not getting enough oxygen rich blood.
• How quickly the heart recovers after exercise.
• Any irregular heart rhythms.

Radiography (X-ray) - Chest
The chest x-ray is the most commonly performed diagnostic x-ray examination. Approximately half of all x-rays performed in medical institutions are chest x-rays. A chest x-ray is usually done for the evaluation of lungs, heart and chest wall. Pneumonia, heart failure, emphysema, lung cancer and other medical conditions can be diagnosed or suspected on a chest x-ray.   A chest x-ray is typically performed as the first imaging test for symptoms of shortness of breath, a bad or persistent cough, chest pain, chest injury or fever.

Individuals with known or suspected medical conditions such as congestive heart failure or cancer may undergo chest x-rays to follow their response to treatment, or to determine changes that would require a change in their medical management.

Sphygmomanometer
A sphygmomanometer is the device used in taking a blood pressure or measuring the pressure applied to a particular area.

Sleep Study
A sleep study is done at our Sleep Disorder Center. A sleep study involves an overnight stay in a specially decorated room, much like one’s own home, with devices attached to the patient to record sleeping patterns, breathing, oxygen levels, and a heart monitor to detect problems during sleep.

Stress Test
A stress test sometimes referred to as a treadmill test or exercise stress test, determines how your heart handles stress and how it responds to exercise as you walk on a treadmill.

Thallium Stress Test (nuclear stress test)
A Thallium Treadmill Stress Tests is similar to a standard treadmill test, but provides the doctor with additional information by using an isotope (Thallium) to evaluate coronary blood flow. A thallium Stress Test can detect  the following: which areas of the heart are not getting enough blood and oxygen; how quickly the hear t recovers after exercise; and any irregular heart rhythms that may be present.

Tilt Table Test
A tilt table is a test to determine if passing out episodes are heart related, brain related, or medication related. A patient is secured to a tilting table and monitored in a semi –standing position.

Transesophageal Echocardiogram
Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE) is a special study that shows your doctor images of your heart valves, chambers, blood vessels and the muscle itself. This test takes pictures from the inside of a swallowing tube that goes from the mouth to the stomach called the esophagus. Because the esophagus lies close to the heart, the pictures of the heart are very clear.