Cardio Diagnostic Services

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Eastern New Mexico Medical Center provides a number of advanced cardiac imaging services. Your provider will determine which is best for your particular needs.

Diagnostic Services

• Cardiac computed tomography (CT scan) or computed axial tomography (CAT scan) is a painless imaging test that uses X-rays to take many detailed pictures of your heart and blood vessels. Computers can combine these pictures to create a three-dimensional (3D) model on the whole heart. Eastern New Mexico Medical Center provides the following types of CT scans:
  • 3D coronary CT angiography
  • CT carotid angiograms
  • CT angiograms of aorta
  • CT angiograms of lower extremities
  • CT angiograms of the renal (kidney) area
  • CT calcium scoring
• Cardiac echocardiography, also called echo, cardiac ultrasound or sonogram, is a test that uses sound waves to image your heart. It is one of the most beneficial and easiest tests for acquiring important information about your heart. Eastern New Mexico Medical Center provides the following types of echocardiograms:
  • Transthoracic echo with strain
  • Transthoracic echo with agitated saline contrast (bubble study)
  • Transthoracic echo with definition (contrast)
  • Treadmill and dobutamine stress echocardiography
  • Pediatric echo
  • Transesophageal echo
  • Intraoperative echo during catheterization
• Cardiac stress test is an exercise tolerance test that increases the heart rate to see the response of the heart to exercise. You will be placed on a treadmill or stationary bike and asked to exercise while both blood pressure and electrocardiogram are monitored. Your doctor can discuss whether they'd like to also use radioactive isotopes, which are infused into the bloodstream to provide a clearer picture of your blood flow and any blockages you might have.
• Nuclear stress test is an exercise tolerance test that uses nuclear imaging to produce images of the heart's structure and blood flow under stress.
• Electrocardiogram - This test records the electrical activity of the heart.
• Holter or event monitors - A Holter monitor is worn for 24-48 hours and checks and records your heart rhythm continuously during that time to look for abnormalities. An event monitor is similar to a Holter monitor but is worn for 5 -20 days.
• Additional cardiovascular imaging services
  • Ankle/brachial Index – This test compares the blood pressure in your ankle with the blood pressure in your arm to see how well your blood is flowing.
  • Arterial doppler exam of the lower extremities - This test is used to determine if the arteries in your legs are narrowing or have plaque buildup, also known as peripheral vascular disease. The test consists of both blood pressure readings on your legs as well as echocardiograms of the blood vessels in your legs.
  • Segmental pressures - Blood pressures are measured up and down the legs and arms to determine the location of poor circulation or blockage to the extremities. You will walk on a treadmill to assess the circulation in your legs

Pulmonary Diagnostics

Your heart isn't the only key player in your full health - your pulmonary system deserve close attention as well. At Eastern New Mexico Medical Center, doctors use a variety of procedures to help keep your pulmonary system in tip-top shape.

Our procedures:

• Arterial blood gases - used to determine oxygen level and lung effectiveness by testing the blood.
• Complete pulmonary function testing - used to determine how well oxygen enters into the blood supply.
• Therapeutic procedures - aimed to improve patients' lifestyle choices.