Most heart problems can be treated through procedures or lifestyle changes, but effective treatment relies on an accurate and timely diagnosis. The Sutter network offers a wide range of medically recognized diagnostic methods and technologies to identify the type and location of your heart condition.

The Cardiac Catheterization/Vascular Lab provides the latest in technology with all-digital X-ray imaging that cardiologists, interventional radiologists and vascular surgeons use to view and treat blood vessel blockages the could cause heart attacks, strokes and poor blood flow to the extremities. Tests include:

Electrophysiology Studies

Usually performed in our special electrophysiology lab by specially trained cardiologists and technologists, these procedures involve insertion of an electrode catheter into the heart through a vein, usually in the leg or neck. They can help diagnose abnormalities in the heart’s electrical system leading to irregular heartbeat (arrhythmias).

Laboratory Tests

Basic blood work can reveal a wealth of information about your heart. Depending on your doctor’s recommendations, our labs can test for a variety of things that can be helpful in diagnosing a heart condition. These may include high cholesterol or lipoprotein-a, which are risk factors for heart disease; C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation; and both A1C and blood sugar, two indicators of diabetes or prediabetes.

Stress Tests

These non-invasive tests help measure the amount of blood pumping through your heart during rest and exercise. We offer a variety of stress tests, including: exercise or treadmill stress test, nuclear stress test and stress echocardiogram.

Angiography

An angiogram is a relatively quick outpatient procedure used to diagnose heart disease, arrhythmias or other problems. The doctor uses a catheter, or thin tube, with an electrode at the tip, which he or she inserts through an artery or vein in the groin, arm or neck. Depending on the reason for the procedure, different types of angiography may be used: coronary, aortic, or left heart ventricular.

Imaging

Doctors use cardiovascular imaging techniques, either alone or with other procedures, when they want to see into the heart, veins or arteries and produce images noninvasively. Sutter care centers have a wide selection of imaging services. Some imaging tests for the heart use a small amount of radioactive tracer, such as nuclear ventriculography and Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT). Others use a magnetic field or radio waves, such as a heart MRI. Angiograms and heart CT scans use X-rays, while echocardiogram and intravascular ultrasound use sound waves.

Heart Rhythm Monitoring

To diagnose irregular heart rhythms, Sutter network doctors choose from a variety of methods that can noninvasively collect and record data for periods of time, ranging from a few hours to two years. These include electrocardiogram (EKG), holter monitor, or loop recorder.

Heartflow CT Scan 

The Sutter Health network now offers the latest in cardiac imaging with HeartFlow CT scan analysis. Using your CT scan, this technology creates a 3D model of your heart, showing where blockages are affecting blood flow. This non-invasive procedure can help your doctor diagnose coronary artery disease and determine next steps in your care.

Additional Services

In addition to diagnostic testing for valve disease, cardiomyopathy and PVD, the Cardiac/Vascular Lab provides:

• New pacemaker placement.
• Pacemaker battery exchange.
• Electrical cardioversion for atrial fibrillation.
• Tilt table test of fainting (syncopy).
• Repair of dialysis shunt grafts.