Electrocardiogram (EKG) An electrocardiogram is a cardiac noninvasive diagnostic test that records the electrical activity in all areas of the heart, providing your physician with information about: Your heart rate and heart rhythm The presence of heart damage after a heart attack Inadequate blood and oxygen supply to the heart Abnormalities of the structure of the heart (for example, an enlarged heart) Learn More about Electrocardiograms

Electrocardiogram (EKG) Stress Test An electrocardiogram stress test, known as an exercise stress test is a measurement of the electrical activity of the heart. The physician places electrodes on the chest, arms, or legs, and the patient runs on a treadmill or pedals a bike. The oxygen demand on the heart increases as the heart rate and blood pressure rise. During the test, a graphic representation, or tracing, of the electrical activity is recorded. Changes in this tracing compared to the normal tracing can help to diagnose or rule out heart-related conditions. Watch Video

Electrophysiology (EP) Study Electrical impulses coordinate heart contraction in a special sequence that keeps blood flowing the way it should. This electrical activation stimulates the heart pumping function and creates the heart beat and pulse. An electrophysiological study (EP study) is a test to evaluate your heart's electrical system and check for abnormal heart rhythms.

Intravascular Ultrasound Inova cardiologists perform intravascular ultrasounds (IVUs) during cardiac catheterization. Like echocardiograms, IVUs use high-frequency sound waves (also called ultrasound) to produce an image of the coronary arteries. Sound waves are sent with a transducer device attached to the end of a catheter that has been threaded through an artery and into your heart. The sound waves bounce off of the walls of the artery and return to the transducer as echoes.

Our Locations Learn More about Cardiac MRI Location Details Save Inova Cardiac Diagnostic Services - Alexandria A department of Inova Alexandria Hospital 4660 Kenmore Ave #1206 Alexandria, VA 22304 4660 Kenmore Ave #1206 Alexandria VA 22304 Phone: 703-852-7740 Get Directions See Location Details Save Inova Cardiac Diagnostic Services - Ashburn 21785 Filigree Ct #203 Ashburn, VA 20147 21785 Filigree Ct #203 Ashburn VA 20147 Phone: 703-933-2820 Get Directions See Location Details Save Inova Cardiac Diagnostic Services - Fair Oaks A departm

Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) is a type of MRI, which uses radio waves, a magnetic field, and a computer to scan your body for health problems. MRAs look at the body’s blood vessels and are a less invasive test than regular angiograms, which require inserting a thin tube (catheter) into your body. During MRA, patients lie flat inside an MRI scanner, which is a large, tunnel-like tube.

Multigated Acquisition (MUGA) or Cardiac Gated Blood Pool Imaging Scan  A MUGA or Cardiac Gated Blood Pool Imaging Scan, also referred to as equilibrium radionuclide angiogram (ERNA), uses a camera and computer to "image" the heart to determine its size and function. The MUGA test captures dynamic images of the heart chambers and major blood vessels to evaluate the heart’s pumping ability (Ejection Fraction-EF) and heart wall motion. Learn More the MUGA Scan

Nuclear Stress Test Imaging Nuclear stress test imaging is a series of cardiac imaging studies conducted at rest and after exercise using the same principles as a basic exercise stress test but resulting in significantly more information. It uses a radioactive tracer and an imaging camera to create pictures that show the blood flow to your heart muscle while you are at rest and exercising, revealing areas in your heart with poor blood flow or damage. Tests are conducted in two phases: a resting image of the heart with a nuclear isotope and the exercise portion with additional isotopes.

Tilt Table Test The tilt table test evaluates presyncope (fainting). Many fainting episodes are due to a syndrome called transient autonomic dysfunction or neuro-cardiogenic syncope, which causes a sudden drop in blood pressure and a slow heart rate when body position changes suddenly. In some instances, these heart rate and blood pressure changes cause fainting. This procedure attempts to cause syncope by creating changes in posture from lying to standing. The patient lies flat on a special bed or table while connected to electrocardiogram (ECG) and blood pressure monitors.

Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE) A transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) is a diagnostic ultrasound test that gives cardiologists a clear view of the heart through a small tube passed into the esophagus. Our technicians insert a probe with a transducer (like a microphone) down the esophagus during the procedure. The transducer sends out ultrasonic sound waves at a frequency too high to be heard.