Technology

Echocardiography

A diagnostic tool that uses ultrasound waves to view the walls, valves and structures of the heart. Images are obtained by placing the probe against the chest area or using a probe inserted into the mouth and into the esophagus. BryanLGH uses special medication to ensure optimal viewing of the heart. A stress echo might be done to check a heart’s pumping function during stress or exercise. Medication may also be given to stress the heart while the patient is at rest. BryanLGH Medical Center is nationally accredited in echocardiography (echo) by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of the Vascular Laboratories. Ours was the first echo lab in the region to receive this honor.

Vascular Testing

BryanLGH Medical Center performs thousands of ultrasound and other studies of the arteries and veins. These help diagnose and treat many conditions such as deep-vein thrombosis, stroke-like symptoms and decreased blood flow to arms and legs. The medical center is nationally accredited in vascular technology by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of the Echocardiography Laboratories.

Doppler Studies: These studies help determine the extent of blockages in the arm or leg arteries.
Venous Duplex: Uses ultrasound and Doppler combined to determine the extent of blockages in the veins.
Carotid Duplex: Uses ultrasound and Doppler to determine the extent of blockages in the arteries of the neck, which supply blood flow to the brain.

Non-Invasive Cardiac Testing

BryanLGH Medical Center provides many different types of tests to help your healthcare team find the best treatment for you. You may need one or several tests before the team can accurately diagnose your problems. Click on the tests below to learn more:

Electrocardiogram
Cardiac Event Recording
Echocardiograms
Stress Tests
Muga Heart Scan
Cardioversion

Ultrafast CT Heart Scan

This revolutionary technology detects heart disease at its earliest and most treatable stages. It is quick, painless and non-invasive, and can detect even the smallest speck of potentially trouble-causing calcium deposits in your arteries. This potentially life-saving test is now only $199! Call 402-481-5121 for information or to schedule.

Computed Coronary Tomography Angiography

This advanced 64-slice CT scan provides unparalleled resolution for clearer images and a more accurate diagnosis. Doctors are able to see three-dimensional images and can reconstruct the heart frame-by-frame with a clear view of the coronary arteries.

Electrophysiology (EP) Study

Electrical activity is studied with a catheter placed inside chambers of the heart. This helps your doctor identify heart rhythm problems.

Radio Frequency (RF) Ablation

Ablation is a non-surgical treatment of fast heart rhythms for those who may have been taking medications for a long time to slow their heart rhythms. Computer-guided mapping helps the doctor pinpoint areas of the fast rhythm with special catheters. Direct heat is then used to cauterize the precise area of the heart.

Read more about radio frequency ablation.

Lasers

Lasers are used to treat blockages and to remove pacemakers. BryanLGH is a regional leader in using laser energy to help remove implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) and pacemaker wires.

ICD

Implantable cardioverter defibrilators (ICD): ICDs automatically adjust the heart rhythm when dangerous heart rhythms occur. ICDs have been successfully implanted in hundreds of patients at BryanLGH.

Biventricular pacemaker or Biventricular ICD

These are pacemakers with or without ICDs and additional functions to treat heart failure.

Loop recorders

Loop recorders are implanted recorders used to track your heart rhythm. Your doctor may decide to use this method when other ways to check your heart rhythm have failed to show slow or irregular beats.

Stereotaxis

Stereotaxis uses magnetic navigation to help doctors move catheters in all directions within the heart. In addition to allowing doctors to perform very difficult procedures that cannot be done in a traditional cath lab, stereotaxis also reduces radiation exposure and procedure time. It is available in only 30 hospitals nationwide; BryanLGH was the first hospital in Nebraska with this technology.

Intuitive daVinci Surgical System

Surgeons at BryanLGH use robotic surgery for several heart and chest procedures, including coronary artery bypass, mitral valve and atrial septal repairs. Among other benefits, this laproscopic system allows for a less invasive operation, less pain, reduced chance for infection and shorter recovery time and hospital stays. For more information, please call BryanLGH Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery, 402-481-8430.

BryanLGH Medical Center

Cardiology/Vascular