Sarasota Memorial offers a full spectrum of advanced diagnostic tests and minimally invasive procedures to help your physicians determine if you have cardiovascular disease, the type of disease, the severity, and the most effective treatments.

Some of the more common diagnostic tests and procedures include:

• Echocardiograph:
a non-invasive ultrasound procedure that uses sound waves and computerized digital equipment to provide images of the heart, its valves and chambers and help detect abnormalities or compromised function. This study is called a transthoracic echocardiogram because the sound waves pass through the chest wall to achieve the resulting images.

• Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE):
A special type of echocardiogram, TEE obtains more defined images than a transthoracic echocardiogram because sound waves do not have to pass through the lungs or chest wall. This study is helpful in assessing the presence of clots, masses, or tumors within the heart.

• Electrocardiograph Test:
a non-invasive test that uses an electrocardiogram to evaluate the electrical activity generated by the heart at rest and with activity. This study can help physicians diagnose a heart arrhythmia (abnormal heartbeat), determine that not enough blood is reaching the heart muscle, or establish that the heart chambers may be enlarged.

• Nuclear Imaging Studies:
a method of testing that produces images by detecting radiation from different parts of the body after the administration of a radioactive tracer material. These studies can evaluate the heart muscle function, blood flow to the heart muscle and the size and location of a heart attack. Learn more about nuclear medicine tests and how to prepare for them >>>>

• Ultrasound Test:
a non-invasive test that uses ultrasound, or high frequency sound wave, to create graphic images of the heart's structures, pumping action and direction of blood flow.

• Intracoronary ultrasound:
the use of ultrasound inside the coronary arteries to obtain images of the interior walls and structure of the coronary arteries.

• Intravascular ultrasound:
the use of ultrasound inside a blood vessel to better visualize and detect problems inside the blood vessel.

• Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Cardiac Computed Tomography (CT):
advanced imaging studies that allow physicians a closer look at the heart and vessels. Learn more about our Dual Source CT at Sarasota Memorial’s Institute for Advanced Medicine >>>

• Cardiac Catheterization:
Interventional cardiology procedures that involve inserting catheters into the blood vessels of the heart in order to get a closer look at the coronary arteries or to stimulate and test the electrical system of the heart.

• Electrophysiology (EP) Studies:
Performed in the cardiac cath lab, EP studies evaluate the heart’s electrical system and can detect the existence and nature of an arrhythmia or abnormal heartbeat. By mapping the electrical activity and identifying the location of abnormalities, cardiologists who specialize in Electrophysiology can decide what intervention or treatment best addresses the abnormality.

• Interventional Radiology/Neurointerventional Radiology:
Interventional vascular procedures that involve inserting small instruments or tools, such as catheters or wires, with the use of various x-ray and imaging techniques to detect blockage or narrowing of arteries and veins. It also may involve minimally invasive procedures to increase blood flow to the heart or brain, remove blockages or administer medications at a target location to stop hemorrhaging or treat a disease like cancer.