Diagnostic Testing

Ankle-Brachial Test

The ankle-brachial index is a noninvasive test used to determine your risk for peripheral artery disease, a condition that involves a narrowing of arteries in the leg and can lead to a heart attack or stroke.  This test is done by comparing the blood pressure in the ankle with the blood pressure in your arm.  A low ankle-brachial index can indicate narrowed arteries in the legs.

This test is usually done as a screening test for peripheral artery disease, but can also help determine the severity or progress of the disease if it has already been diagnosed.  The ankle-brachial index test is a simple and safe procedure with no risks or side effects. 

Arterial Doppler

An arterial Doppler is often performed to evaluate blood flow in patients complaining of leg or arm pain, numbness, tingling and fatigue, as these symptoms may be indicative of a narrowing or blockage of the major arteries.  Doppler technology uses sound waves to detect blood flow and identify any differences in blood pressure within different areas of the arms and legs.

During the arterial Doppler procedure, blood pressure is taken with a cuff at several areas along the arms and legs, and a transducer is moved across the area to detect blood flow through the areas before and after the blood pressure cuff is inflated. 

Carotid Doppler

A carotid Doppler ultrasound is a diagnostic procedure that uses high frequency sound waves to generate images of the carotid arteries within the neck. This test allows Dr. Detweiler to detect any narrowing of the arteries and also determine how quickly blood flows through them to determine a patient's risk of stroke or other heart conditions.
The carotid Doppler ultrasound is most commonly performed on patients who:

• Recently had a stroke
• Have an abnormal sound in the carotid artery
• May have blood clots in the carotid artery
• Have damage in the walls of the carotid artery

EKG

An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is a noninvasive diagnostic exam performed to detect electrical activity in the heart. It is commonly performed after patients have experienced heart attack symptoms including chest pain, shortness of breath and heart palpitations, or as part of a routine heart disease screening.  An EKG produces a record of waves that relate to the electrical impulses that occur during each beat of a patient's heart.

This test is performed by attaching electrical wires, called electrodes, to the arms, legs and chest.  The EKG machine is then started, recording your heart's electrical activity, showing how quickly and regularly your heart beats, as well as the size of the chambers and thickness of the heart walls. 

ECHO

Echocardiography, also known as an ultrasound of the heart, is a diagnostic test used to examine the heart by creating images out of sound waves. This helps determine the size and shape of the heart, as well as how well the different components are functioning. The results of the test are often used to diagnose high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, congenital heart defects, aneurysms or other heart conditions. 

All procedures are minimally invasive and may be performed during a cardiac stress test or as a routine pregnancy exam. The most common type of echocardiogram test is a trans thoracic echocardiogram, which uses a transducer to collect an ultrasound image.

Glucose Test

A glucose test is performed for the diagnosis or monitoring of diabetes and involves measuring the blood sugar levels, which is the main source of energy in the body. There are several different types of glucose tests that may be performed, depending on each patient’s individual condition.  Most tests require a simple blood test that may or may not require fasting, while oral testing may be performed as well.

Laryngoscopy

A laryngoscopy is a diagnostic procedure that examines the voice box (larynx), which contains the vocal cords, by inserting a thin, flexible tube called a laryngoscope down the throat to produce images.  This procedure can be performed for many reasons, including to diagnose a persistent cough, hoarseness or bad breath, to detect a mass or tumor on the vocal cords, diagnose cancer or diagnose voice problems.

This procedure does not usually cause any pain for patients, but may be uncomfortable, so local anesthesia may be administered. The results of the laryngoscopy procedure are available right away and can be reviewed with the patient after the procedure.