Cardiac Imaging

Cardiac imaging provides a roadmap that shows the specific location and position of the heart and surrounding organs and tissues inside your body. While all human beings share a common physical framework, many differences exist between individuals. Imaging tests help cardiologists and other specialists make an accurate diagnosis, as well as define and safely deliver appropriate treatments that fit your specific anatomy.

Advanced Cardiac Imaging Services Nearby

When you and your primary care doctor or cardiologist choose OU Health for services to help manage your heart health, you and your loved ones collaborate with a team of highly trained heart care physicians, cardiac imaging specialists and related healthcare professionals. You’ll work together to review and consider all aspects of your situation, including detailed information gained from a wide range of cardiac imaging procedures, while developing a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your specific situation.

Regional Cardiac Imaging Referral Center for Complex Heart Conditions

No matter where you live in Oklahoma or across the region, you and your personal physicians or cardiologists can access top-quality cardiac imaging through OU Health, a regional academic health system and referral center for anyone who needs diagnostic and treatment information gathered from cardiac imaging procedures.

That means you or your loved ones who live with challenging heart conditions, such as heart valve disease, mitral valve regurgitation, left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion or other types of complex heart disease, can take advantage of advanced cardiac imaging studies at OU Health to help identify underlying problems and determine appropriate care pathways that can lead to optimal, timely, safe and effective treatment.

Team-Based Cardiac Imaging from Innovative Leaders

At OU Health, you benefit from working with extensively educated cardiologists, who hold board certification in echocardiography (cardiac imaging), including Dr. Chittur Sivaram, Oklahoma City’s most experienced echocardiographer. In addition to serving as a member of your heart care team, Dr. Sivaram also teaches the next generation of cardiac imaging specialists at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and has trained nearly all practicing echocardiologists throughout the region.

Cardiac Imaging Services at OU Health

Depending on your specific situation, you and your OU Health heart care team may recommend your participation in one or more cardiac imaging procedures, including:

• Cardiac computed tomography (CT) scan – Uses high-resolution X-ray technology to create 3D images of the heart and surrounding tissues
• Echocardiogram (echocardiography) – Uses high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to produce detailed images of heart structures and functions in motion
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the heart – Uses large magnetic field around the body to create detailed images of soft tissues and organs, including the heart; also called cardiovascular MRI (CMRI); may be used instead of CT scan
• Nuclear stress test – Measures blood flow in the heart at rest and during exercise, as well as heart muscle capacity to squeeze and pump; also called myocardial perfusion scan, stress myocardial perfusion scan or cardiac nuclear imaging
• Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) – Assesses heart structure and function with high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) using a tiny device inserted into the esophagus for clearer images
• Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) – Uses ultrasound (high-frequency sound waves) to create detailed images of the heart from outside the body; also called surface echo; painless; fewer long-term side effects than radiologic procedures

Heart Attack Symptoms - Get to know the American Heart Association’s warning signs of heart attack. For immediate help, call 911.

Your Expert Cardiac Imaging Team

As part of your personalized OU Health heart care plan, you or your loved ones work with a multidisciplinary team of extensively educated and board-certified cardiologists, cardiac imaging specialists, cardiac surgeons, electrophysiologists, and diverse physicians in related healthcare specialties, as well as highly skilled support staff. You can count on receiving top-quality, compassionate care from your professionally trained OU Health heart care team members, as you also benefit from innovative research and advanced technologies.