Cardiopulmonary Services

Doctors Hospital of Laredo has specially trained physicians and nurses who diagnose and treat diseases of the heart and lungs. For detailed information about any of these services, contact the Cardiology Department at 956-523-3030.

Cardiac Testing

Cardiac studies provide doctors with information about heart valves, heart muscle and the coronary arteries as well as possible congenital heart abnormalities. Among the non-invasive diagnostic tests we offer are:

• Cardiac stress testing — An exercise stress test is used to evaluate how exercise affects your heart. In a stress test, you exercise on a treadmill or stationary bike while tests are performed (heart rate, blood pressure, EKG).
• EEG — Electroencephalography (EEG) is a method to record electrical activity of the brain.
• EKG — An electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart to check for potential problems.
• Holter monitoring — A Holter monitor is a wearable device that continuously records the heart’s rhythms. It is worn for 24 – 48 hours during normal activity to see how the heart responds to activity.

Cardiac Catheterization

Cardiac catheterization involves the use of radiological equipment to diagnose and treat some forms of heart disease. Interventional tools such as balloons and stents are fed through a catheter into the coronary arteries to reduce stenosis (blockages) and improve blood flow. In some cases, a contrast material (dye) is injected into the coronary arteries to diagnose blockages.

During a balloon angioplasty, cardiologists uses a balloon catheter to widen a blocked or narrow coronary artery in order to restore blood flow. In cardiac ablation, catheters are inserted through a vein in a patient's groin and threaded into the heart to destroy areas that may be causing heart arrhythmia, or abnormal heart rhythm.

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Cardiac Arrhythmia Service

An arrhythmia is an abnormal heart rhythm. When the heart to beats too slowly, too quickly or even irregularly, it cannot effectively pump blood through the body. As a result, the lungs, brain and other organs can't work properly and may shut down or be damaged. The cardiac arrhythmia service at Doctors Hospital provides diagnostic and treatment options for patients with cardiac rhythm disturbances, such as anti-arrhythmic drug therapy. Other treatments include: catheter ablation of ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmias, pacemaker implantation and non-thoracotomy placement of implantable cardioverter defibrillator devices. 

Respiratory Services

Our respiratory diagnosis and treatment services include:

• Adult mechanical ventilation — A tube is inserted through the mouth down into the trachea (large airway), often in emergency situations. 
• Neonatal mechanical ventilation — Physicians with special expertise in infants insert a tube into the child's airway, often in emergency situations.
• Oxygen therapy — Supplemental oxygen delivered due to illness.
• Pulse oximetry monitoring — An external sensor that measures oxygen levels in blood.
• Pulmonary function studies — Non-invasive tests that measure lung volume, capacity and flow rate to determine restrictive or obstructive lung disease.
• Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation — Ventilation that is delivered through a special ventilation mask, rather than through an inserted tube.
• End Tidal CO2 monitoring
• Delivery of aerosolized medications
• Bronchopulmonary hygiene
• Chest physiotherapy