themanagementoftheir disease and allows cardiologiststodetermine whichpatientswillbenefitfromdevices to improve their heartfunctionor preventarrhythmias .
Q What is anuclear stress test andwhy wouldyou need one ?
Dr . Alfonso : During astresstest , we evaluate theheart ’ s function at rest and then under stress . Inanexercise stress test , apatientwilluse atreadmill . Mostoften , anexercisestress test is enough , but when we need more information , anuclear stress test is used . After the patient comes off thetreadmill and theheartisstressed , we inject anuclear material into avein goingtothe heart . We take pictures with aspecial camera andcompare bloodflow in theheart at rest and at stress . Low bloodflow might mean a blockage . Withthisinformation , we can determine if a patient is a candidate formedical treatment , such as taking medications , or if they ’ llneeda more invasive test andpotentiallyan angioplasty and stentplacement or bypass surgery .
Q What are some of the new technologiesbeing used for cardiacimaging ?
Dr . Amato : At Magnus Imaging of Englewood Hospital and Medical Center , weare upgradingtothe latest 3D echocardiography technology . We ’ ll be abletoprovide even more accuratemeasurementsofcardiac function . Imaging is an important part of planning outaprocedure . Echo is what allows us to determine whoisacandidatefor moreadvance procedures such as TAVR ( transcatheter aortic valvereplacement ), MitraClip ( transcatheter procedure for mitral valveregurgitation ), and Watchman ( left atrial appendage closures for atrial fibrillation ).
Dr . Alfonso : We also have state-ofthe-art nuclear stress testing technology . Our twonew camerasare more sensitive , theimagequality is a lotbetter , and thetesttakes significantly less time and requires much less radiationthantraditional equipment . What used to take 45 minutes to an hour cannow be doneinthree to fiveminutes . In thepast , patients had to lie flat , remain still , and keep theirarm raised . Now , you situpina chair and don ’ t need to keep your arm up . Also , we cannow imagepatients whomight notbecandidates forthis test with traditional equipment , such as those who are obese . This is especially importantfor patients considering gastric bypass surgery .
Q Howdoyou address patient concerns ?
Dr . Amato : Comfort , convenience andstrivingfor excellence . Magnus Imagingislocatedinthe same buildingasour practice , BartDeGregorio , MD , LLC , sopatientscan receiveall services and noninvasivecardiac diagnostic tests in one place . This is very convenient for patients .
Dr . Alfonso : The doctors take time to explaintothe patientwhat they need . The staff are top notch . Most of ourstaff have been here 10 years or more . Theyreally care about the patient . They are highly trained , patient-orientedand very experienced . We emphasizethe importance of interpersonal skillswithour staffto reassure thepatient . I ’ veactuallyseen my staffholdingapatient ’ s hand in thescanner to reassure them . Even though we ’ reabusypractice , youare treatedasaperson .
Dr . James Amato Dr . Carlos Alfonso
CardiologistCarlosAlfonso , MD , is board certified in cardiovasculardisease and nuclear cardiology . CardiologistJames AmatoJr ., MD , is boardcertifiedincardiovascular disease , interventional cardiology and echography .
Thefacility is accredited by the Intersocietal Commission on Accreditation of Echocardiography Laboratories ( I-CAEL ) andthe American College of Radiology and is partof theDepartment of Radiology at Englewood Hospital and MedicalCenter .
MagnusImaging of Englewood Hospital and MedicalCenter 946BloomfieldAvenue Glen Ridge , NJ07028 973-743-0061
To find acardiologist , call 844-33-MDNOW or visit mdpartnersehmc . org .