Overview
Cardiovascular imaging uses sophisticated tests to collect information about heart health. These tests can diagnose conditions like coronary artery disease and predict who will benefit from certain heart procedures and surgeries. They also detect potential issues like an infected pacemaker or defibrillator — without surgery.
Our Cardiovascular Imaging Program includes specialists who have completed additional subspecialty training in cardiovascular imaging. This expertise allows us to create the most effective treatment plan for the full range of cardiovascular conditions.
Why Choose Cleveland Clinic in Florida?
Our program offers:
- Experienced doctors: Our Cardiovascular Imaging Program is staffed by experts that have interpreted thousands of cardiology tests. They have years of experience interpreting these tests to diagnose and treat the full range of heart conditions. Meet our nuclear cardiology team.
- Complete care: If you are diagnosed with a heart condition after your test, we are ready to guide you through next steps. The comprehensive Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute has experts across the spectrum of cardiovascular care. Our doctors work collaboratively, so you have a team of leading experts on your side.
- Highly trained technologists: Our cardiac imaging specialists train our technologists. This extensive training allows our technicians to perform tests with unmatched accuracy and the highest level of comfort for patients. You receive close monitoring and careful oversight by every team member from start to finish.
- Latest imaging techniques: We provide advanced cardiac imaging for the most detailed diagnosis, including 3D echocardiograms, cardiac MRI and cardiac CT. Our doctors have years of experience these sophisticated tests.
- Personalized approach: We use great care to choose the correct cardiology test for each patient. Our team evaluates your individual circumstances to determine which test fits your health needs while providing clear answers about your results.
Advanced Cardiac Imaging Tests
Heart and vascular conditions are complex, so the right doctor is essential. Our specialists have years of experience interpreting cardiac imaging tests. At Cleveland Clinic Florida, our entire team is specially trained in cardiac imaging.
Cardiac imaging tests we provide include:
- Echocardiography (Echo): Our team performs standard and 3D echocardiograms using ultrasound waves to create an image of how well the heart is pumping.
- Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): This test uses powerful magnets to evaluate the heart’s structure and function.
- Cardiac computed tomography (CT): A cardiac CT takes highly detailed pictures of the heart to look for coronary artery disease (CAD) and other conditions.
- Cardiac PET CT: This test combines cardiac CT with positron emission tomography (PET) to detect CAD.
Nuclear Cardiology Tests We Provide
Nuclear cardiology uses a small amount of radioactive dye that travels through blood vessels to your heart. Special imaging equipment uses the dye to create pictures, which your doctor uses to evaluate blood flow and heart function. Our doctors have the highest level of training and years of experience in interpreting these specialized tests. We offer:
Cardiac SPECT (single-photon emission computerized tomography) imaging
Cardiac SPECT is a valuable test for detecting and evaluating coronary artery disease. It can also show how well the heart is working and assess a person’s heart attack risk.
This test is safe for nearly all patients, regardless of health status and whether you have a pacemaker or defibrillator. Our team injects a small amount of radioactive material (tracer) into your blood to create pictures of your heart. We perform SPECT during rest or exercise, depending on your needs. After your scan, you can usually go back to normal activities right away.
Amyloid imaging (technetium pyrophosphate or PYP scan)
Cardiac amyloidosis is a possible cause of congestive heart failure and more cases are diagnosed each year. Before the technetium pyrophosphate or PYP scan was developed, doctors could only diagnose cardiac amyloidosis with a cardiac biopsy, which is an invasive procedure.
A PYP scan is noninvasive. This test requires only an injection of a small amount of a medical substance to get clear images. At Cleveland Clinic Florida, we combine the PYP scan with blood and genetic testing. Together, these tests can diagnose cardiac amyloidosis with greater than 95% certainty. Cleveland Clinic is the pioneer in South Florida for this type of test. We coordinate each patient’s results with our advanced Cardiac Amyloidosis Center.
PET (positron emission tomography) CT scan
Our state-of-the-art PET-CT camera creates detailed 3D images of your heart to measure blood flow and evaluate heart health. This test helps our doctors determine the benefits and risks of heart surgery for people with impaired heart function.
Before a cardiac PET-CT, we inject a medical substance known as FDG (fluorodeoxyglucose) into your blood. FDG highlights inflammation and other abnormalities when doctors need further details about your heart’s function.
Appointments & Locations
Make an appointment at one of our Cleveland Clinic Florida locations, or schedule a virtual visit.
