Patient
Information

Your Cardiovascular Health Care Team

Amarillo Heart Group is a significant medical resource for the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease. As the health care needs of the Panhandle have grown, the number of cardiologists at the clinic has been increased to include cardiologists who specialize in treating many different cardiovascular conditions.

There are cardiologists available in several areas of specialty at Amarillo Heart Group. They have specialized training and experience in critical care of heart patients, cardiac catheterization, angioplasty, electrophysiology, stress testing, echocardiography and many other tests and procedures related to the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease.

Cardiologists specialized training includes four years of medical school, three or more years of residency in internal medicine, and two or more years of specialized training in cardiology.

The Team Approach

A cardiologist is available at all times to provide for your health care needs. You will have a cardiologist who will normally see you and provide your care and treatment. There may be times when you need an immediate appointment and your regular cardiologist is away or has a full schedule. We have developed a "team approach" so that another cardiologist will be able to see you promptly. Your regular cardiologist may also ask you to see one of the other cardiologists for a diagnostic test or procedure. This approach works well because each cardiologist will be fully informed about your medical history and prior treatment. This is possible because of medical records that contain your condition and prior treatment.

With this "team approach" you are assured of always receiving the same high-standard of care given by your regular cardiologist. Having several cardiologists on our staff means we can always respond promptly to your health care needs.

SPECIAL SERVICES

The Non-Invasive Department performs studies of the heart and circulatory system. The examinations are performed using instruments that measure and evaluate different cardiovascular functions.

Nuclear Medicine
Nuclear Medicine provides sophisticated evaluations of the cardiac system. Tests are used to image the heart to evaluate the adequacy of blood supply to the heart muscle. These tests will help to determine whether your coronary arteries have become narrowed or blocked as a result of coronary artery disease. Your cardiologist can then decide the best course of treatment.

Echocardiography
Ultrasound technology is used to project moving pictures of the chambers of the heart. A probe is held against the chest and the pictures, visible on a screen, enable measurement of the size and thickness of the heart's chambers and functioning of the heart valves.

Color Doppler Studies
Performed with the same equipment used in echocardiography, this test measures the velocity and flow of blood in the heart and/or arteries.

Carotid Duplex
For this test, the ultrasound probe is held against the carotid artery in the neck. The images are analyzed to determine if there is a buildup of plaque in the artery. This test is evaluated in conjunction with the information obtained in the Color Doppler Study.

Venous Duplex Examination
This test is used to determine if blood clots are present in the vein of the legs. A two-part study, this test involves both visualization of the vein by ultrasound and Doppler and volume measurement of the blood flow in the veins of the lower extremities.

Arterial Scans
Using blood pressure, Doppler and pulse volume recordings, these scans are used to detect obstruction in the arteries that supply blood to the leg.

Electrophysiology Tests:

Electrocardiogram (EKG).
The EKG provides your doctor with information about your heart rate, rhythm and possible areas of damage. This test takes only a few minutes.

Holter Monitor:
For this test a small monitor is taped to the chest to record the heart beat over a 24 hour period. This study helps to detect heart irregularities or "cardiac arrhythmias."

Pacemaker Clinic:
We monitor pacemaker implants to confirm that the devices are functioning properly.

Signal Averaged EKG:
This test is a computerized EKG which enables your cardiologist to identify possible areas of delayed electrical conduction in the heart. This test takes only a few minutes and causes no discomfort.

Tilt Test:
The tilt test is used for people who have unexplained fainting spells or "syncope". The test is performed in the electrophysiology lab and takes approximately 45 minutes.

Treatments:
Some irregularities of the heart may be life threatening and require treatment. The methods used for treatment are similar to those used for cardiac catheterization. Your cardiologist will discuss this procedure in detail if you require such treatment.

Hospital Care:

Our Cardiologists have medical staff privileges at Northwest Texas and BSA and other area hospitals, and provide a complete range of services including:

Support Groups:

Implantable Cardiac Defibrillator (ICD) Quarterly Support Group

OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU

You will:

• Receive considerate and respectful care.

• Retain your privacy concerning your program of medical care. Discussions of your care, consultation with other persons concerning you, examination or treatments, and all communications and records concerning you are confidential. You must consent to the presence of any person who is not directly involved with your care during any examination, consultation or treatment.

• Obtain information concerning the professional qualifications of the persons who are treating you.

• Receive the name of the person responsible for coordinating your care at the Amarillo Heart Group.

• Receive from your physician a complete and current description of his or her diagnosis, plan for treatment and prognosis in terms which you are able to understand. If it is not medically advisable to give this information to you, your physician shall provide the information to an appropriate person responsible for you.

• Receive from your physician the information necessary to give your informed consent to a procedure or treatment. Except in an emergency this information must not be limited to a specific procedure or treatment and must include:

• a description of the significant risks involved.
• any information on alternatives to the treatment or procedure.
• the name of the person responsible for the procedure or treatment.
  

You have the right to:

• Refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law, and be informed of the consequences of such refusal.

• Receive continuous care from the Amarillo Heart Group , and be informed:

• of your appointments for treatment, and the names of the persons available to provide those treatments.

• by your physician, or an authorized representative of the physician, of your needs for continuing care.

• Examine the bill for your care and receive an explanation of the bill whether or not you are personally responsible for payment of the bill.