Piedmont Mountainside Hospital Offers Advanced Cardiac Imaging Technology

JASPER, GA (May 15, 2006) – Georgia Aquarium veterinarians knew something was wrong with Gasper – one of their prized beluga whales – when he stopped eating and started developing skin lesions.  So, they called in specialists to check out the 200-pound beluga.  Gasper’s extensive check-up included a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) – an ultrasound that examined his heart and lungs.  Vets discovered that Gasper’s heart was beating okay, but he wasn’t breathing normally.  They began monitoring his condition closely.
TEE isn’t just for aquatic animals.  If you’re experiencing cardiac or respiratory problems, your physician may require you to undergo a transesophageal echocardiogram just like Gasper.  The procedure is a diagnostic ultrasound that allows cardiologists to get a sneak peek at your heart using a small tube that is passed into the esophagus.

TEE provides clear images of the many parts of the heart structures and blood flow.  It is used to diagnose heart failure, inflammation and damage to heart muscle, valve disease, congenital heart disease, blood clots, and aneurysm in the heart or aorta.

“Transesophageal echocardiogram offers another diagnostic option for our patients,” said Ed Lovern, president and CEO of Piedmont Mountainside Hospital.  “We are committed to providing the residents of north Georgia with the most advanced radiological care.”

In addition to transesophageal echocardiogram, Piedmont Mountainside Hospital offers the following radiology procedures to diagnose and treat a variety of conditions: 16-slice computerized tomography (CT) scan, fluoroscopy, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), mammography, nuclear medicine and bone density screenings.

To learn more about Piedmont Mountainside Hospital’s radiology services, please visit www.piedmontmountainsidehospital.org or call 706-301-5300.