The fundamental principles of patient assessment are the establishment of the correct diagnosis, identifying risk factors contributing to the diagnosis, and aggressively targeting therapies to maximize the impact on the underlying disease.
 DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES:
| ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY |
A non-invasive test using ultrasound waves similar to sonar to identify structural, functional and physiologic abnormalities. Measurements include heart chamber size, function,
blood flow direction, heart valve abnormalities, pressures within the heart.
The Ventura Heart Institute was
the first non-teaching hospital
private practice facility in the
Ventura, Los Angeles and Santa
Barbara Counties to acquire 3
dimensional echocardiography and
color volume capabilities.
This technology provides superior
spatial resolution of complex
heart conditions to further aid
in the correct assessment of a
patient’s anatomic and physiologic
diagnoses.
Dr. Loh has been involved with
2 dimensional echocardiography
since 1977, directed the echocardiography
laboratory at Los Robles Regional
Medical Center for 15 years and
has published research in the
use of echocardiography in the
diagnosis of coronary artery disease.
The Ventura Heart Institute began
using the added capabilities of
3 dimensional echocardiography
in 2003. In November 2006,
we upgraded to the latest Philips
iE33 state-of-the-art platform
to further enhance our capabilities
in 3-dimensional echocardiographic
imaging and diagnostics. |
Examples of typical images obtained by 2-dimensional and the new 3-dimensional echocardiography
technology are provided below.
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Routine 2-dimensional image of 4 heart chambers
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3-dimensional image of 4 heart chambers
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2-dimensional images of heart valve and chamber
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3-dimensional image of heart valve and chamber |
STRESS
TESTS |
A
non-invasive approach to evaluate
the adequacy of coronary blood
flow to the heart muscle itself.
A progressive treadmill exercise
protocol appropriate for the
patient is utilized with rigorous
monitoring of the electrocardiogram,
the heart rhythm, blood pressure
and heart rate. These tests
can be done with or without
echocardiographic support. Echocardiography
enhances the diagnostic accuracy
to over 90%.
|
HOLTER
MONITOR |
A
non-invasive test that provides
the ability to detect, characterize
and properly diagnose underlying
heart rhythm problems, especially
in patients with palpitations
or “skipped beats”.
For one day, a portable recording
device similar in size to a
Walkman™ is attached to the
patient. The device is always
“on” so that any irregularities
in heart beat are detected whether
or not the patient has any symptoms.
A diary is provided so that
any recognized symptoms can
be noted and correlated with
the recording.
|
EVENT
MONITOR |
A
non-invasive test that allows
the patient to record a heart
rhythm strip by touching the
chest with a Walkman™ sized
device that has built-in electrodes
that can record the underlying
heart rhythm by just contacting
the skin during the recording.
The rhythm can then be played
over a toll-free phone line
to an interpreter who can notify
the doctor about what was recorded.
This test is most useful for
patients who get palpitations
or other symptoms, but not everyday.
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AMBULATORY
BLOOD
PRESSURE MONITOR |
A
non-invasive test to document
blood pressures when away from
the stresses of visiting the
doctor's office.
This is very useful to establish
the diagnosis of “white-coat”
high blood pressure and save
the patient from unnecessary
treatments for high blood pressure.
However, Dr. Loh takes this
diagnosis very personally.
|
ELECTROCARDIOGRAM
IMPEDANCE
CARDIOGRAPHY
|
The
classic non-invasive test that
records the electrical activity
of the heart from 12 different
directions on the chest wall.
Characterization of heart rhythm
origin, propagation and heart
chamber sizes can be determined.
A
novel non-invasive 5-10 minute
test that can assess not only
average blood pressure and heart
rate, but also the mechanics
of cardiac function such as
the heart's efficiency at pumping
blood, the resistance to that
pumping action, and the heart's
conditioning. It is extremely
useful if impaired heart function
is suspected or being treated. |
TREATMENTS:
Although the diagnostic services listed above are available to patients who are referred by their own physicians
or who are even self-referred if allowed by their insurance provider, the treatment services of the Ventura Heart
Institute
are available only to those who become
patients of either Dr. Loh or the
Research Office (directed by
Dr. Loh).
| DISEASE MANAGEMENT |
Comprehensive
approach to the nutritional,
lifestyle, and pharmacologic
management and preventive strategies
of patients with coronary artery
disease, blood fat abnormalities,
high blood pressure, heart failure,
irregular heart rhythms.
It is focused on intervening
at the most critical points
that can most effectively alter
the course of a disease to optimize
the quality of care and patient
outcome.
|
Research
Office: The Ventura Heart
Institute has participated in approximately
100 clinical research projects (Phase
II, III and IV) since the Institute
opened in 1987. These programs are
always at no charge to the patient.
Dr.
Loh has been a clinical investigator
since 1974 as a Staff Associate and
Science Project Officer at the National
Heart, Lung and Blood Institute at
the National Institutes of Health
(NIH). He chaired the hospital's Institutional
Review Board (IRB) for 18 years.The
IRB over-sees clinical research at
Los Robles Hospital and Medical Center
in Thousand Oaks, CA.
Our
current research projects are targeting
patients with elevated cholesterol,
elevated triglycerides, high systolic
blood pressure, and those with normal
cholesterols but have an elevated
C-reactive protein (CRP). If interested
in learning more and possibly participating
in these free programs, please contact
us at research@venturaheart.com.
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