Services
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is an advanced stress test for studying the heart. The test provides your doctor with pictures of your heart while it's resting and while it has increased blood flow, which is called "stress." Your doctor then compares the pictures to learn more about your heart's blood supply.
Clinical studies have shown that PET scans are more accurate than similar stress tests that are widely used to diagnose heart conditions. The test works by taking detailed pictures or images of a small amount of "tracer" that is injected into the bloodstream. The PET camera detects the tracer as it flows through the arteries to create images of the heart. A medication is used to increase the blood flow through the heart ("stress") and these images are compared to those taken before blood flow is increased.
PET is a "noninvasive" test, meaning no surgery or opening of the body is required. The test takes about two hours to complete from check-in to check-out.
What is Positron Emission Tomography?
Positron emission tomography, also called PET imaging or a PET scan, is a diagnostic examination that involves the acquisition of physiologic images based on the detection of radiation from the emission of positrons. Positrons are tiny particles emitted from a radioactive substance administered to the patient. The subsequent images of the human body developed with this technique are used to evaluate a variety of diseases.
What are the benefits vs. risks?
Because PET allows the study of body function, it can help physicians detect alterations in biochemical processes that suggest disease before changes in anatomy are apparent with other imaging tests such as CT or MRI.
The radiotracer substance amount is so small that it does not affect the normal processes of the body.
If you are pregnant, you should inform the PET imaging staff before the examination.
How is the procedure performed?
The procedure begins with a radiotracer being administered as an intravenous injection. After that, scanning begins. Testing may take 30 to 45 minutes. PET scans are obtained while they are at rest and again after undergoing the administration of a pharmaceutical to alter the blood flow to the heart. Usually, there are no restrictions on daily routine after the test.
Who will interpret my results and how do I get them?
Patients undergo PET because their cardiologist has recommended it. Once the test has been performed, your cardiologist will interpret the images and dictate on what was shown during your test. You will then be scheduled for a follow-up appointment with your cardiologist in which he or she will go over your results with you.
What can this procedure show about my heart problems?
PET scans of the heart can be used to determine blood flow to the heart muscle and help evaluate signs of coronary artery disease. They can also be used to determine if areas of the heart that show decreased function are alive rather than scarred as a result of a prior heart attack, called a myocardial infarction. Combined with a myocardial perfusion study, PET scans allow differentiation of nonfunctioning heart muscle from heart muscle that would benefit from a procedure, such as angioplasty or coronary artery bypass surgery, which would reestablish adequate blood flow and improve heart function.
Cardiac Catheterization Lab
Pikes Peak Cardiology leases catheterization laboratories from Memorial Hospital for outpatient procedures. Cardiac catheterization and coronary angiography are diagnostic heart tests to obtain information about the heart and/or blood vessels to help decide a course of treatment. Peripheral angiography is done to obtain information about other blood vessels in the body such as vessels to the neck, head, and legs. These studies are available in a comfortable, convenient, patient oriented setting.
Coumadin (anti-coagulation) Management Program
As a service of Pikes Peak Cardiology, those receiving anti-coagulation therapy are able to have the Protime test in our office. With dedicated nursing staff, we are able to test anti-coagulation effects, as well as regulate each individual coumadin dosage. Instant results of the test are possible by using the CoaguChek® fingerstick. It is our goal that all patients receiving anti-coagulation therapy maintain safe medication blood ranges.
Cardiac Implant Device Program
In keeping with its reputation as the most innovative Adult Cardiology Practice in Southern Colorado, Pikes Peak Cardiology is the first practice in Colorado to introduce internet technology to evaluate patients with implantable cardiac devices without requiring the patients to leave home. PPC is providing a unique service to device patients allowing its clinicians to view data about their patients’ implantable device on an Internet website while the patients are at home or traveling. The Medtronic Paceart System manages the information for our clinic enabling our physicians to follow more cardiac device patients than ever before. The Clinic Management System incorporates in-clinic follow-up data, merging it with previous patient history and instantly updating and reporting the data. The innovative technology, the Medtronic CareLink Network, is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the use with the following devices made by Medtronic, Inc.
- An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) to treat a potentially lethal heart rhythm
- A cardiac resynchronization therapy ICD system to treat heart failure
- A pacemaker to treat a slow heart rhythm
The Medtronic CareLink Network is comprised of a patient monitor, a website for clinicians, and a website for patients and their loved ones. The monitor is a small easy-to-use device that allows patients to collect information by holding a small computer mouse-like “antenna” over their implanted device. The monitor automatically downloads data about the patient’s heart rhythm and the device, and sends it through a standard phone line directly to a secure server. Clinicians then review the patient’s data by logging onto the physician website and can make immediate decisions about the patients’ care needs.
In addition to the Carelink network, which is part of Medtronic, the Pikes Peak Cardiology Device Clinic staff is trained to provide follow-up care for those patients who have implanted devices from companies such as Boston Scientific, St. Jude, Biotronik, and ELA. These companies offer remote services, as well.
Paceart brings together implantable cardiac devices with a database system for pacemakers, implantable defibrillators and CRT devices. The Paceart System is a major component in Pikes Peak Cardiology's strategy to provide post-implant solutions to help physicians better and more efficiently manage patients with cardiac arrhythmias and heart failure.
Pacemaker Follow-Up Program
Utilizing state-of-the-art computerized follow-up methods, Pikes Peak Cardiology offers specially trained nursing staff to provide all levels of Pacemaker maintenance, both by telephone and in the clinic. All routine maintenance, diagnostics, and necessary reprogramming are performed conveniently in the professional office setting.
The Device Clinic, in conjunction with the Pikes Peak Cardiology Research Department, is now involved in a study that monitors fluid volume status in Medtronic CRT devices. Studies have shown that by monitoring the fluid volume status in heart failure patients, we can decrease the incidences of hospitalizations significantly. The patient is followed closely by the Device Clinic and the Research Department and quickly referred to the Cardiologist if there is any indication of fluid overload. Many times, fluid volume issues are identified and dealt with before the patient feels any symptoms!
Heart Health Identification Care
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Pikes Peak Cardiology offers a personal heart health card.
The Pocket EKG card provides information about your condition for emergency situations to include
your base line EKG. This card provides vital information to medical personnel in the event a patient requires urgent or emergent care. The card is exclusively offered by Pikes Peak Cardiology in the Pikes Peak region. Contact our office to learn more and get your card from Pikes Peak Cardiology.
Clinical Research Program
Pikes Peak Cardiology has been conducting clinical research trials since 1998. These trials are sponsored by national teaching institutions, pharmaceutical and medical device companies which allow development of important new treatment protocols involving every aspect of heart disease. Patients often benefit with new treatment modalities and free pharmaceuticals and diagnostic testing. The Research Program has been a leading registration site for a number of international clinical and device trials. Along with other trials, Pikes Peak Cardiology is going to start monitoring OptiVol on a monthly basis via Carelink. Studies have shown that by doing this and by the RN working in conjunction with the Cardiologist, we can decrease the incidences of hospitalizations for heart failure significantly. Once the remote transmission is received, if there is any upward trending of fluid volume status, the patient is notified to immediately begin appropriate treatment. Many times, OptiVol will show an increase in fluid volume status before a patient actually feels symptoms. Our research department is getting ready to start a study involving OptiVol.
Enhanced External Counter Pulsation (EECP)
It is now possible to provide sustained relief and improve profusion defects to patients with chronic angina using noninvasive treatment known as Enhanced External Counter Pulsation (EECP). A clinical study has demonstrated that 80% of patients who experienced relief of symptoms and improvement of myocardial perfusion immediately after a course of EECP Therapy sustained those benefits after 3 years. Angina patients may expect reduction or elimination of angina episodes, less dependence upon anti-coagulation medication and improved exercise tolerance. It is well-suited for patients who are not candidates for invasive procedures or coronary surgery. EECP Therapy is administered in outpatient sessions, carries little or no risk and is relatively comfortable. This therapy is available at the Pikes Peak Cardiovascular Laboratory in a comfortable, convenient, patient oriented setting.
Diagnostic Testing
Pikes Peak Cardiology collaborates with Cardiodiagnostics of Colorado Springs in providing state of the art diagnostic testing of echocardiography, peripheral and vascular ultrasound, nuclear imaging, holter monitors, Tilt Table Testing and Trans-esophageal Echocardiography (TEE). The Diagnostic Lab is one of the few national labs that is certified by the Intersocietal Commission for Accreditation in Echocardiography, Vascular and Nuclear Laboratories.