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190 Campus Blvd., Suite 201
Winchester, VA 22601
(540) 662-0306 - Phone
(540) 542-1843 - Fax

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Imaging Fax Request Form Appointment Fax Request Form

Below you will find information about your test and how you need to prepare for it. Our goal is to assist your physician, through the use of the latest technology, to better determine your cardiovascular care. We look forward to serving you. Contact us at (540) 542-1844.

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening
Cardiolite Stress Test
Carotid Doppler
Echocardiogram
Holter Monitor and Event Monitor Testing
Lower Extremity Arterial Duplex (LEAD)
MUGA Scan
Peripheral Arterial Studies (Arms or Legs) PVR (Pulse Volume Recording) and ABI (Ankle-Brachial Index)
Renal Artery Doppler
Stress Echo
Treadmill
T-Wave Alternans Testing

How to Obtain Your Test Results

Our office will fax a copy of your test results to your physician within 24 to 48 hours after your test has been read. However, please allow 10 to 14 days for the ordering physicians to communicate your results to you. The Cardiovascular Imaging Center staff is unable to give you your test results. Please consult your physicians for your test results.

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Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening

This test uses ultrasound waves to image the main artery that supplies blood to and through your abdomen. You will lie on a table while a technologist scans your abdomen with an ultrasound probe. Please follow this prep for your AAA Screening.

Prep Instructions

• DO NOT EAT OR DRINK after Midnight before the test.
• Avoid carbonated beverages the day before your scheduled exam.
• Take all prescribed medications with a small amount of WATER only.
• Avoid wearing powders or perfumes on your abdominal area.
• The procedure lasts 30-45 minutes.

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Cardiolite Stress Test

Your doctor has ordered a stress test with Cardiolite enhancement. Cardiolite is a radioactive tracer that is used to assess the blood flow to your heart muscle as well as the strength of the heart muscle. This information, in combination with your EKG portion of your stress test, will assist your doctor in better determining a course of treatment.

Upon arrival you will register at check in. A certified nuclear medicine technologist will then prepare you for the test. An IV will be started and you will be given a small dose of Cardiolite. There is a delay of ½ to 1 hour before you are scanned to allow the tracer to be absorbed. Then you will lie on the imaging table for approximately 15 minutes while the camera takes pictures around your chest.

After the first set of pictures, you will be prepped for the stress test portion of the exam. (Please refer to Treadmill) If your doctor has ordered or you are unable to walk on the treadmill, you will be given medicine (Dobutamine or Adenosine) so that pictures can be taken of your heart at stress.

Another set of pictures will begin approximately 30 to 45 minutes after your stress test. This will take approximately 15 minutes.

On the Day of Your Cardiolite Test

• Get a good night’s rest
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing and rubber-soled walking shoes.
• Take all prescribed medications unless otherwise instructed by your doctor. If you are diabetic, please check with your doctor for any changes in your diabetic medication.
• DO NOT EAT for at least 6 hours prior to the test. You may have water only. ABSOLUTELY NO COFFEE, TEA OR SOFT DRINKS 24 HOURS BEFORE THE TEST.
• If you are a smoker, do not smoke for at least 8 hours before the test.
• If you need to cancel your appointment, you must give us 24-hour notice. If you are running late, please call us as well at 540-542-1844.
• Please allow 3 hours for the entire exam.

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Echocardiogram

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Holter Monitor and Event Monitor Testing

A holter or event monitor is a painless exam that involves wearing a small device that monitors your heart rhythm over a period of time. You simply come into our Center to be fitted and given detailed information about wearing the monitor.

A holter monitor is usually worn overnight and then brought back to our Center to be taken off. The recorded tracings will be taken from the monitor and can then be read by a physician.

The event monitor is worn for 30 days and is triggered by the patient when symptoms occur. The tracing is transmitted via telephone and read by a physician.

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Lower Extremity Arterial Duplex (LEAD)

The study is used to evaluate the arteries that supply blood flow to your feet. While you lie on a table, a technologist will scan your legs with an ultrasound probe. There is no prep for this exam. The study typically lasts approximately one hour per leg.

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Peripheral Arterial Studies (Arms or Legs): PVR (Pulse Volume Recording)

This is a non-invasive exam performed to evaluate the amount of blood flowing into the arms or legs. You will be asked to lie on a table while a series of blood pressure cuffs are applied to the limbs to obtain pressures and tracings. You should avoid wearing any type of tight-fitting attire (including girdles) otherwise there is no pre-exam preparation. This exam should take approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour to complete.


ABI (Ankle-Brachial Index)

Ankle-Brachial Index is a quick screening exam similar to the PVR. This exam should take approximately 15 minutes to complete.

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Renal Artery Doppler / Ultrasound

A renal artery exam uses sound waves to take special images and measurements of the blood vessels in the abdomen, which supply flow to the kidneys. You will simply be asked to lie on a table while your images are taken. Because the vessels are located in the abdomen, we request that you not have anything to eat or drink after midnight the night before the test. Also, please refrain from drinking carbonated beverages the day before your scheduled exam. The morning of your test, necessary medications may be taken with a small amount of WATER only. The exam will take approximately 1 hour to complete.

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Stress Echo

This exam combines the elements of the Treadmill and Echocardiogram to show heart function and how the heart reacts to the stress of exercise. Images of the heart are taken before and after walking on the treadmill. The patient preparation for this exam is the same as the treadmill test and will take approximately 1 hour to complete.

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Treadmill

For the treadmill test, slacks or shorts are preferred and comfortable footwear appropriate for brisk walking. Several electrodes will be placed on your chest, so that your heart rhythm can be watched closely throughout the exercise portion of the test. Unless otherwise informed, all medications should be taken the day of the test. Please bring all medications that you are currently taking with you at the time of the test. A light meal should be eaten before the test omitting coffee, tea and all carbonated beverages. DO NOT SMOKE prior to the test. This test will take approximately 30 minutes.

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T-Wave Alternans Testing

The T-Wave Alternans Test is used to identify patients at risk for life-threatening heart rhythms. This test is a non-invasive and similar to a treadmill stress test. Several electrodes will be placed on your chest and attached to the T-wave Alternans equipment. You will be asked to walk on the treadmill to raise your heart rate while your heart rhythm is being analyzed. T-Wave Alternans testing is not painful. This test will take approximately 30 minutes.

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