Sierra Medical Center and Providence Memorial Hospital have dedicated cardiology departments to help diagnose and treat cardiovascular disease; both facilities have arranged to have a cardiologist available on an on-call basis.

Providence has two cardiac cath labs and was the first hospital in El Paso to offer the procedure through its Outpatient Cardiovascular Unit. Sierra has three cardiac cath labs and now conducts electrophysiology studies to help diagnose problems with the heart's electrical system.

Tests & Procedures to Help Diagnose Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)
The following is a list of invasive and noninvasive tests and procedures which may be performed at Sierra and Providence (except where noted) to help diagnose heart disease:

• Cardiac Catheterization - using a local anesthetic, this procedure involves inserting a small catheter (hollow tube) through an artery or vein in the arm or leg, and guiding the catheter into the heart. Once there, various types of tests may be performed, such as an angiogram, using the catheter to inject a "dye." The dye then travels through the blood vessels and heart to help identify possible arterial blockages.
  
• Coronary Angiography - an x-ray study of the blood vessels or heart chambers. A special dye is injected into the coronary arteries through a catheter to help identify any problems with blood flow through the heart. The dye creates a contrast on the x-ray pictures, which are called angiograms.
  
• Echocardiogram - this test uses ultrasound to record and produce a study of the movement of the heart's valves and chambers. Doppler imaging may also be used to assess heart murmurs and the heart's overall function.
  
• Electrocardiogram (EKG) - a test that records the heart's electrical activity. It is used to identify abnormal heart beats or rhythms and any enlargement or damage that has been sustained by the heart. The EKG test can be used in conjunction with other diagnostic tests such as stress tests.
  
• Electrophysiology Study - a test to study abnormal heart rhythms under controlled conditions to help determine any problems with the heart's electrical system. A catheter is inserted into the blood vessels and guided into the heart using xray. (Available only at Sierra.)
  
• Exercise Stress Test (Treadmill Test) - using an EKG to monitor the heart's activity, patients walk on a treadmill or pedal on a bike to reach their maximum level of physical activity. The Stress Test helps to determine if physical exertion brings on any abnormal changes on the EKG.
  
• Holter Monitor - a small, portable EKG machine that is worn by the patient to record the heart's electrical activity, usually over a period of 12 24 hours. Once completed, the EKG tape is retrieved and read by a doctor to help make a diagnosis.
  
• Peripheral Vascular Doppler Imaging - much like an echocardiogram, peripheral vascular doppler imaging uses ultrasound to create images and help pinpoint arterial blockages in the extremities, i.e., the arms, legs and neck.
  
• Thallium Stress Test - a type of nuclear scanning test or imaging test to determine the adequacy of blood flow and oxygen to the heart muscle. This test is usually done in conjunction with an exercise stress test. Once the patient reaches his maximum level of exercise, thallium, a radioactive substance, is injected into the blood stream.

  The patient then lies down on a special table and "pictures" are taken of the heart and surrounding blood vessel to determine if there is any area of the heart that has been damaged.
  

• Transplant Biopsies - if your doctor has determined that you are a candidate for a heart transplant, a biopsy of the heart tissue may be conducted to help determine a time period for your transplant.

Once a diagnosis has been made, Sierra and Providence offer advanced cardiology treatment services to help in your recovery (except where noted):

• Ablation - a procedure that uses radio waves to silence an abnormal area in the heart's electrical system. (Available only at Sierra.)
  
• Atherectomy - a procedure that uses a rotating blade or high-speed burr on the end of a catheter to widen blood vessels that have been blocked due to plaque build-up (cholesterol and other fatty substances) in the inner lining of the artery.
  
• Balloon Angioplasty - this procedure is used to dilate (widen) narrow arteries using a catheter with a deflated balloon on its end. The catheter is inserted into an artery and, once it has reached the narrowed portion of the artery, the balloon is inflated to a high pressure. This helps to create a bigger opening in the artery and increase blood flow. The balloon is then deflated and the catheter is removed from the artery.
  
• Bypass (Open Heart) Surgery - a surgical procedure that helps to improve the supply of oxygen-rich blood to the heart. Small portions of veins and arteries are taken from one part of the body and grafted into the heart to help reroute - or "bypass" - blood around clogged blood vessels.
  
• Pacemaker or Defibrillator Implantation – treatment alternatives for irregular heartbeats using man-made devices.An artificial pacemaker is used to regulate a heartbeat that is too slow by replacing the heart's natural pacemaker, while a defibrillator is implanted into the heart and used to control a heartbeat that is too fast.

  Both are small, battery-operated devices and may be implanted either permanently (internal) or temporarily (external).
  

• Stent Placement - using balloon angioplasty, a thin metal coil called a "stent" is placed over the deflated balloon and inserted into the blocked artery. The balloon is inflated causing the stent to expand and lock into place. The stent serves as a mechanical support to keep the artery open.

For more information on cardiac care, including diagnostic and treatment technology, at Sierra and Providence , please call (915) 577-6000.