Beebe has offered cardiac diagnostics and monitoring since 1978. Over the years, we've expanded our services to keep pace with new developments and technology. Today, our patients can count on the availability of a full range of testing and monitoring techniques.

• Chest Pain Observation Center
• Coronary Catheterization Diagnostics
• Cardiac Stress Testing
• Ambulatory Heart Monitoring
• Echocardiogram Diagnostic Testing
• Tilt-table Studies
  
  

Chest Pain Observation Unit

Chest pain observation unit

People with chest pain that is not obviously muscle related should see a doctor as soon as possible. In off-hours, please come to the Beebe Emergency Department. Always call 911 in a life-threatening emergency.

The E-D environment can be hectic and can, itself, be stressful. So when it makes sense to do so, chest pain patients may be moved to the comfort of our new Chest Pain Observation Unit for up to 1 day. There a complete battery of tests may be run. The patient will be closely monitored using a variety of techniques. Specialized cardiac care staff are available to attend and assist the patient.

In the CPOU, patients are just moments away from life-saving intervention, including open heart surgery, catheterization or stent implantation where required.

Coronary Catheterization Diagnostics

Coronary catheterization

Coronary Catheterization is often the best way for cardiologists to be sure of a preliminary diagnosis based on the less invasive tests described below. When such tests are inconclusive, coronary catheterization may be able to show, with remarkable clarity, exactly what the problem is and where it is located.

Under local anesthesia, doctors insert a tiny, plastic tube, or catheter, through veins or arteries, directly into the chambers of the heart itself. Blood can be sampled for testing, and pressures can be measured.

Then, by injecting special dye through the tube, the heart itself, and vital surrounding blood vessels, can be actually observed in action. Valve activity, blood flow and blockages become visible through special x-ray monitoring screens. Diagnosis may be clarified and confirmed, and treatment options frequently become obvious to the experienced cardiologist.

The procedure is usually done on an out-patient basis and the patient should allow a full day for the procedure and recovery from it. Risks and complications from the procedure exist, but are minimal. Be sure to ask your cardiologist if you would like to know more detail about them.