Cardiopulmonary Services

The Cardiopulmonary Department at Florida Hospital DeLand offers the following testing procedures:

• Cardiac Stress Testing – Stress testing is performed under the direct supervision of a physician and medically trained staff members. The Cardiopulmonary Department offers a variety of stress testing including, nuclear exercise tests, with or without medications, as well as routine treadmill or echo stress tests. These tests are designed to optimize the identification of cardiac disease for each patient.

• Tilt Table Testing – This form of testing has been used for more than 50 years to study the body’s responses to various stimuli. It evaluates the symptoms of syncope (fainting) – a partial or complete temporary suspension of respiration and circulation due to cerebral ischemia. Electrodes will be placed on the patient’s chest, a blood pressure cuff will be placed on the arm and the patient will be secured to the tilt table. The head of the tilt table will be raised to a 65˚ angle for 20-45 minutes for evaluation of a neurocardiogenic response.

• EKG (electrocardiograms) – EKG’s chart the heart’s electrical activity. Electrodes are placed on the patient’s chest, and extremities. These impulses are then charted and translated into a visual graph. The patterns in the graph will indicate whether or not the electrical activity is normal. The EKG is then scanned into the hospital medical record system for retrieval and is accessible for printouts and comparison of past electrocardiograms.

• 24 Hour Holter Monitors – A 24 hour holter monitor is a variation of an EKG using electrodes that are placed on the patient’s chest. These electrodes are connected to a credit card sized monitor that reads the hearts electrical impulses and stores the data. This information is then downloaded after the 24 hour period. The information captured is used to determine the patient’s rate and heart rhythm during regular activities. A diary of events is kept by the patient during this time and if symptoms occurred then documentation is noted.

• Pulmonary Function Testing – A PFT consists of instructional breathing techniques which may confirm obstructive or restrictive lung disease. This procedure is performed by a trained Respiratory Therapist. The therapist instructs the patient to perform different breathing patterns and this measures lung volumes and capacities. A blood test called an Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) is generally ordered with a PFT to give the physician a complete look at the overall function of the lungs.

• Echo/Vascular Testing – This form of testing uses the latest technology in cardiac and vascular imaging. By using ultrasound, this technology assesses the heart’s appearance and function, including ejection fraction and blood flow disturbances and provides a better visual resolution of disease in the peripheral vessels. The physician will be able to better diagnose any valvular or coronary circulatory disease processes.

All procedures require a physician referral. 
For more information, please contact cardiopulmonary office at (386) 943-4710.