Cardiopulmonary Care

We offer a comprehensive range of cardiopulmonary services at ETMC Athens, including diagnostic testing and inpatient care as well as inpatient cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation.

Our staff works to provide a level of care that is unequaled, and we are accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.

Pulmonary Care

Our pulmonary care includes:

• Pulmonary function testing - Diagnostic testing of the lungs and pulmonary function can help a physician determine the cause of breathing difficulties, and it can provide valuable diagnostic information about respiratory disease.
  
• Respiratory therapy - Utilizing technology and expertise, this program assists those with breathing problems and difficulties.

• Ventilation - When the patient's respiratory system is not functioning at a level sufficient to sustain life, mechanical assistance is provided by a ventilator/respirator with supplemental oxygen.

• Blood gas analysis - Evaluations of the levels of gases in the bloodstream are conducted to determine if respiratory problems are occurring. (As part of assuring the quality of our blood gas analysis, our blood gas lab is accredited by the College of American Pathologists.)

Cardiac Care

Our cardiac program includes a wide range of testing including:

• EKG - This test is utilized to determine if heart disease is present by making electrical recordings of heart function in order to detect irregularities.
• Stress Test - A stress test may be utilized once heart disease is detected. It monitors the heart's function and helps to pinpoint areas where blockage may be occuring.

Holter Monitor - The Holter Monitor allows a more extensive EKG. It is attached to a patient and records heart activity for a 24-hour period. The patient does not remain in the hospital during this time but is asked to keep a record of activities during the period for comparison to the EKG readings.

Non-Invasive Lab  

In addition to other testing, we also provide non-invasive cardiac testing. As part of our effort to assure the quality of the service we provide, our Non-Invasive Lab is accredited by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories.

Services in our Non-Invasive Lab include:

• Echocardiograms - These tests use ultrasound techniques to determine the heart's structure and to detect problems or irregularities.

• Carotid Artery Testing -- Ultrasound technology is also used to detect blockage in arteries. Early detection can help identify people who are at a high risk of stroke or other cerebrovascular problems.