Tests & Procedures

We offer the most current technology and science available to diagnose and treat all types of congenital heart conditions. These are some of the noninvasive and minimally invasive tests and procedures performed by the cardiology team at the Children's Heart Center.

• Cardiac Catheterization and Angiography

  A procedure performed by inserting a long, thin tube (a catheter) into an artery and vein and advancing it to the heart. The movement and location of the catheter is seen through x-rays that are displayed on a television screen.

• Catheter Ablation

  A procedure performed by inserting long, thin tubes (catheters) into blood vessels in the legs and advancing them to the heart. The catheters are used to cure heart rhythm problems by eliminating the malfunctioning part of the heart’s electrical system.

• Chest X-Ray

  Gives the cardiologist a picture of the size and shape of your child's heart and indicates the presence or absence of fluid in the lungs.

• Echocardiography

  Enables the cardiologist to see details of the heart structure from outside the body and helps determine the need for further evaluation or treatment.

• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)

  Measures electrical activity in the heart, the heart's rate and rhythm, any damage to the heart muscle and any unusual events in the conduction system.

• Electrophysiology (EP) Study

  A procedure performed by inserting long, thin tubes (catheters) into blood vessels in the legs and advancing them to the heart. The catheters are used to test for heart rhythm problems.

• Exercise Stress Testing

  Allows the physician to observe how the patient's heart works during exercise on a treadmill or bicycle.

• Holter Monitor

  Measures the heart rate and rhythm for a 24 to 48 hour period.

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

  Provides a detailed view of the heart. The MRI equipment creates a large magnetic field that causes atoms in the body's tissue to emit radio waves that are received by an antenna. A computer converts the signals into visible images of the heart and arteries.

• Pacemaker/Defibrillator Implantation

  Pacemakers treat patients with abnormally slow heart rates.  Defibrillators treat patients with dangerously fast heart rhythms.