Tests & Procedures
We offer the most current technology and science available to diagnose and treat all types of congenital heart conditions. These are some of the noninvasive and minimally invasive tests and procedures performed by the cardiology team at the Children's Heart Center.
A procedure performed by inserting a long, thin tube (a catheter) into an artery and vein and advancing it to the heart. The movement and location of the catheter is seen through x-rays that are displayed on a television screen.
Chest X-Ray
Gives the cardiologist a picture of the size and shape of your child's heart and indicates the presence or absence of fluid in the lungs.
Enables the cardiologist to see details of the heart structure from outside the body and helps determine the need for further evaluation or treatment.
Measures electrical activity in the heart, the heart's rate and rhythm, any damage to the heart muscle and any unusual events in the conduction system.
Allows the physician to observe how the patient's heart works during exercise on a treadmill or bicycle.
Measures the heart rate and rhythm for a 24 to 48 hour period.
Interventional procedures are done in the cardiac catheterization lab. These include ballooning a small valve or vessel, and embolizing a vessel using a coil, and closing holes in the heart among others. Many interventional procedures are alternatives to surgery.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Provides a detailed view of the heart. The MRI equipment creates a large magnetic field that causes atoms in the body's tissue to emit radio waves that are received by an antenna. A computer converts the signals into visible images of the heart and arteries.
Pacemaker
Pacemakers treat patients whose heart rates are too slow for even daily activities by looking for the heart's own activity. When the pacemaker does not detect the heart rate, it will regulate the pace.