Cardiac ablation is a procedure that can correct heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias). Ablation usually uses long, flexible tubes (catheters) inserted through a vein in your groin and threaded to your heart to correct structural problems in your heart that cause an arrhythmia.

Cardiac ablation works by scarring or destroying tissue in your heart that triggers an abnormal heart rhythm. In some cases, ablation prevents abnormal electrical signals from traveling through your heart and, thus, stops the arrhythmia.

Cardiac angioplasty is the diagnostic portion of a cardiac catheterization. During a cardiac catheterization an interventional cardiologist threads a thin tube called a catheter from the radial artery in the wrist up to the heart. Once at the heart, a contrast dye is injected which allows the interventional cardiologist to see any blockages in the arteries. If blockages are found, the interventional cardiologist will inflate a "balloon" to open up the clogged artery. In some cases, the interventional cardiologist may also insert a stent to ensure the artery remains open.

Cardiac catheterizations are typically performed on patients who experience chest pain, shortness of breath or have had a stress test that revealed a possible cardiac problem. Known as a coronary angiography, a catheterization allows interventional cardiologists to see the arteries of the heart and locate blockages. They perform the procedure by injecting a contrast dye and then inserting a catheter into an artery and threading it through the blood vessels to the heart. .

In addition to using catheterizations - both radial and transfemoral - for diagnoses, cardiologists can also treat blockages at the same time. They can perform an angioplasty - inserting a small balloon to widen the artery - or implant stents, small mesh devices to keep the artery walls open.

Cardioversion is a medical procedure that restores normal heart rhythm in people who have particular types of arrhythmias. It typically involves placing electrodes on the chest that send electric shocks to the heart and is usually done as an outpatient procedure. In some cases, physicians may prescribe medications to address the arrhythmias instead of performing a procedure.

An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is a small battery powered device that is implanted underneath the skin in the chest and has electrodes which attach to the heart through veins. An implantable cardioverter defibrillator may be recommended for patients with extremely fast or chaotic heartbeats (arrhythmias) which can cause the heart to stop beating. The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator can recognize these arrhythmias and deliver electrical impulses or shocks to restore a regular heartbeat. ICD implantation is done in the hospital using local anesthesia.

An echocardiogram uses sound waves to produce images of your heart. This commonly used test allows your doctor to see your heart beating and pumping blood. Your doctor can use the images from an echocardiogram to identify heart disease.

Depending on what information your doctor needs, you may have one of several types of echocardiograms. Each type of echocardiogram has few, if any, risks involved.

An electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) is a test that measures the electrical activity of the heart. It can be used to assess for heart attacks and arrhythmias. Its results can also suggest other disorders that affect heart function.

Electrophysiology Mapping is performed in the hospital. Electricity flows through a healthy heart in a regular, steady pattern. When a problem occurs with the electrical flow of the heart, an arrhythmia occurs. During Electrophysiology Mapping a specially trained cardiologist studies the heart's electrical system to diagnose arrhythmias and electrical abnormalities.

The cardiologist may request that a patient wear an event monitor to diagnose certain cardiac symptoms such as palpitations, chest pain, dizziness, and shortness of breath.

Internal Loop Recorders are a small recorder device about the size of a stick of gum that is placed under the skin to record cardiac electrical activity. This device is used to diagnosis arrhythmias that may pre-dispose patients to fainting and stroke. The physician can monitor cardiac activity through trans-telephonic transmission. The device recorder has a battery span of one year and can be removed at any time.

A nuclear stress test measures blood flow to your heart at rest and while your heart is working harder as a result of exertion or medication. The test provides images that can show areas of low blood flow through the heart and damaged heart muscle.

The test usually involves taking two sets of images of your heart — one while you're at rest and another after you heart is stressed, either by exercise or medication.

You may be given a nuclear stress test, which involves injecting a radioactive dye into your bloodstream, if your doctor suspects you have coronary artery disease or if a routine stress test didn't pinpoint the cause of symptoms such as chest pain or shortness of breath. A nuclear stress test may also be used to guide your treatment if you've been diagnosed with a heart condition.

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 with the heart. A pacemaker may be recommended to ensure that the heartbeat does not slow to a dangerously low rate.

Preventing heart disease is possible, by recognizing your symptoms and risk factors early.

Our expert cardiologists offer an integrated approach to care, including:

• Comprehensive assessment of all cardiovascular risk factors
• Lipid and nutrition counseling
• Lifestyle counseling

Cardiac catheterization is an in-hospital procedure used to diagnose and treat certain heart conditions. During a cardiac catheterization an interventional cardiologist threads a thin tube called a catheter from the radial artery in the wrist up to the heart. Once at the heart, a contrast dye is injected which allows the interventional cardiologist to see any blockages in the arteries. If blockages are found, the interventional cardiologist will inflate a “balloon” to open up the clogged artery. In most cases, the interventional cardiologist may also insert a stent to ensure the artery remains open.

A transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) is a procedure performed to evaluate your heart and the surrounding structures. The esophagus lies directly behind the heart, allowing for better quality images generally than those obtained from an echocardiogram from the chest wall. It is especially valuable in patients with valve replacements, history of a stroke, or when adequate images cannot be obtained from the chest wall.

To perform a TEE, a small flexible tube containing a small transducer is passed into the esophagus. Prior to the test, the back of your throat will be numbed first with a medication you will swallow, followed by another medication that will be sprayed into your mouth. You will then be given medication intravenously for sedation. All of this is done to make the procedure more comfortable for you.

A vascular ultrasound is the general term for a non-invasive painless test that uses high-frequency sound waves to image blood vessels including arteries and veins.

• Lower extremity venous ultrasound
• Lower extremity arterial ultrasound
• A carotid ultrasound
• An ultrasound of the abdominal aorta

A vascular ultrasound provides images of the body’s veins and arteries. In some cases a Doppler ultrasound may be part of the vascular ultrasound. A Doppler ultrasound evaluates the blood velocity as it flows through the blood vessels of the body.