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.