On-Site Cardiac Testing

The Suncoast Heart Institute Cardiac Imaging Center

Cardiac imaging studies are performed in the Suncoast Heart Institute Cardiac Imaging Center. Imaging appointments can be scheduled through our clinical office. The Suncoast Heart Institute Cardiac Imaging Center has been accredited by the International Commission for the Accreditation of Nuclear Laboratories (ICANL) and the International Commission for the Accreditation of Echocardiography Laboratories (ICAEL), indicating that your study will be performed and interpreted according to the highest established standards. We have upgraded our diagnostic nuclear imaging capability from SPECT (single-photon emission computerized tomography) to PET (positron emission tomography); which allows for a more accurate (improved sensitivity and specificity) diagnostic imaging protocol.

We offer a number of diagnostic cardiac tests that can be done “on-site” in our facility:

• Performance of 12-lead electrocardiograms and recording of prolonged electrocardiographic rhythm strips
• Carotid sinus massage with rhythm analysis
• Determination of an “ankle-brachial index” (correlation of upper extremity and lower extremity blood pressures)
• Cardiac Echo-Doppler (real-time ultrasound) imaging
• Diagnostic stress-echo imaging (for assessment of myocardial ischemia)
• Exercise treadmill testing (with or without nuclear myocardial perfusion imaging)
• Pharmacologic provocation testing with nuclear myocardial perfusion imaging
• Tilt-table testing
• Prolonged ambulatory external electrocardiographic rhythm/event monitoring
• Periodic evaluation of electrocardiographic events from implanted internal recording devices (implanted loop recorders, pacemakers, or defibrillators)
• Periodic review and evaluation of trans-telephonic rhythm recordings (done by a third-party vendor)