Cardiac & Neurologic Diagnostics

UCSF Health Saint Francis Hospital provides diagnostic services in cardiology and neurology for both inpatients and outpatients.

Cardiology Studies

Our technologists are trained in the latest diagnostic techniques for identifying disorders that may be affecting your heart's function.

We offer the following cardiac diagnostic services

Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG): A recording of the electrical activity of the heart.

Holter Monitor: Continuous 24 or 48 hour monitoring of the heart rhythm to diagnose abnormal heart rhythms.

Treadmill Exercise Stress Test: Recording and monitoring of the EKG during exercise to assess how the heart responds to the demands of physical activity.

Treadmill Exercise Stress Test with Nuclear Medicine Scan: Recording and monitoring of the EKG during exercise using a radioactive substance. It produces images to study the flow of blood to the heart muscle during periods of exercise (or stress) and rest.

Adenosine or Persantine Stress Test: Recording and monitoring of the EKG during rest using a radioactive substance (vasodilator). For patients who are unable to exercise adequately this drug is used to mimic the effect of exercise on the heart.

Echocardiogram: Also called Echo, uses ultrasound to create images of the heart. To evaluate the condition of the heart walls, the heart's pumping strength and to assess the flow of blood through the heart chambers and valves.

Stress Echocardiogram: Combines an echocardiogram with an exercise test to evaluate and learn how well the heart works when it is made to beat harder and faster. This test is useful in diagnosing coronary heart disease and to diagnose certain types of heart muscle or heart valve disease.

Transesophageal Echocardiogram: Also called TEE, this test uses ultrasound to examine the heart. Unlike a standard echocardiogram (or echo), which is done from outside the chest, a TEE is done from inside the esophagus (the tube leading from the mouth to the stomach). Because the esophagus lies just behind the heart, this test provides clearer images of the heart than a standard echo.

Dobutamine Stress Echocardiogram: Uses ultrasound to create images and is useful in diagnosing coronary heart disease and to diagnose certain types of heart muscle or heart valve disease. For patients who are unable to exercise adequately, this drug is used to mimic the effect of exercise on the heart.

Neurology Studies

When it comes to identifying disorders of the nervous system, including your brain, our highly-trained technologists are here to help.

We offer the following neurologic diagnostic services

Electroencephalogram (EEG): Recording of electrical activity of brain cells.

Electromyogram (EMG): Measures the changes in the electrical potential of muscles at rest, with voluntary contraction, and with nerve stimulation.

Evoked Potential (EP): Visual (VEP), Brainstem Auditory (BAEP), Somatosensory (SSEP) Lower/Upper: Recording and monitoring to check the condition of the nerve pathways. Measuring the brain's electrical response to the signals sent by nerves. EP tests help diagnose the nervous system's abnormalities, hearing loss and assess neurological functions.