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Name of Test
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Test Type
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Normal Adult Findings
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Indications for Test
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Interfering Factors & Contraindications
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Clinical Significance of Findings
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CBC, Electrolytes
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See Basic Diagnostic Grid
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See Basic Diagnostic Grid
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See Basic Diagnostic Grid
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See Basic Diagnostic Grid
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See Basic Diagnostic Grid
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ESR and D-Dimer
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See Hematology Diagnostic Test Grid
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See Hematology Diagnostic Test Grid
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See Hematology Diagnostic Test Grid
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See Hematology Diagnostic Test Grid
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See Hematology Diagnostic Test Grid
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Cholesterol level
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Blood test
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Lipid Profile
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Blood test
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Triglycerides
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Blood test
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C-Reactive Protein
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Blood test
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<1.0 mg/dL or
<10.0 mg/L
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To predict coronary events
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Medications, smoking, alcohol, and certain conditions (like hypertension, increased BMI, or chronic infection/inflammation) can alter results.
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CRP is an acute phase reactant protein used to indicate inflammatory disease. It is also used to predict cardiac events as it becomes elevated when there is tissue necrosis.
CRP levels are correlate with peak levels of CK-MB, and if they remain elevated it can be a sign of ongoing damage to heart tissue
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Creatine Kinase (CK) &
CK-MB
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Blood test
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Cardiac Troponins
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Blood test
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Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP)
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Blood test
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Electrocardiography (EKG/ECG)
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Blood test
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Holter Monitoring
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Electrodiagnostic test
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Normal sinus rhythm
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Used in patients who experience syncope, palpitations, atypical chest pain, or unexplained dyspnea.
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Patients who are unable to cooperate with maintaining the lead placement or who are unable to maintain an accurate diary of significant activities or events.
Interfering factors include interruption in the electrode contact with the skin.
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Records a patient’s continuous heart rate and rhythm for 1 or more days.
Cardiac arrhythmia- tachycardia or bradycardia, premature beats
Ischemic changes- seen when pain is experienced with a particular exercise
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Cardiac Nuclear Scan
(Cardiac Flow Study/MUGA Scan)
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Nuclear scanning
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LVEDV<70 ml
LVESV<25ml
LV EF >50%
RV EF >40%
Normal cardiac wall motion
No muscle wall thickening
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Used to evaluate coronary vascular disease, coronary surgery, chest pain, dyspnea, elevated cardiac markers
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Myocardial trauma, recent nuclear scans, or nitrates may interfere with results
Uncooperative, medically unstable patients, pregnancy, and patients with severe cardiac arrythmias are contraindicated
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This test measures cardiac blood flow at rest and during exercise and is used to evaluate the cause of chest pain.
Ventricular volumes are calculated and used to calculate the ejection fraction. This is used in the initial assessment of cardiac function and to monitor therapy to improve function.
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Cardiac Catheterization
(Coronary Angiography)
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Echocardiography
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Cardiac Stress Test
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PET Scan-Cardiac
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Nuclear scanning
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No abnormal areas of increased or decreased uptake
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Evaluation of the heart
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Recent caffeine, alcohol, or tobacco, ingesting a small meal, anxiety, use of warm blankets, or mild-moderate exercise can alter results.
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PET scans of the heart can show decreased blood flow, indicating coronary artery occlusive disease. They are also used when cardiac muscle function is reduced. The PET scan can indicate whether the dysfunction arises from reversible ischemic muscle or muscle tissue that is no longer viable.
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Arteriography
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X-ray study
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Normal arterial vasculature
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Used to evaluate arterial occlusive disease in the adrenal glands, kidneys, mesentery, brain and lower extremities.
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Elderly patients with chronic dehydration or mild decreased renal function are at risk for dye-induced renal failure. Contraindicated in patients with an allergy to shellfish or iodinated dye, patients that are uncooperative or agitated, pregnant, renal disorders, prone to bleeding or unstable cardiac disorders.
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Can indicate disorders f the adrenal gland (adenoma, carcinoma, hyperplasia), lower extremities (arteriosclerotic or embolus occlusion, primary artery diseases, aneurysm), Brain (vascular aneurysm, occlusion or stenosis, tumor, abscess or hematoma), kidney (renal cyst, solid renal tumor)
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Venography
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X-ray study
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No evidence of venous thrombosis or obstruction.
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Used to identify obstruction or thrombosis of the venous system in patients with a swollen arm or leg.
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Patients with severe edema of the legs, uncooperative, allergic to iodinated dye or shellfish, and patients with renal failure.
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Obstruction from thrombosis, tumor or inflammation or acute deep-vein thrombosis.
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Vascular Ultrasound Studies
(Venous Doppler)
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Ultrasound study
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Normal doppler venous signal with spontaneous respiration. Normal venous system without evidence of occlusion or thrombus.
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Used in patients with a swollen, painful leg, venous varicosities of the upper or lower extremities, or edematous extremities.
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Venous or arterial occlusive disease proximal to the site of testing. Cigarette smoking, because nicotine can cause constriction of the peripheral arteries and alter the results.
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Venous occlusion- complete or partial occlusion.
Venous varicosities- flow reversal due to incompetent valves of varicose veins.
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