Cardiodynamic Monitoring

General Description      
    The ICG test is a completely noninvasive test that can be performed in either a physician's office or hospital setting to provide your physician information about your heart's ability to deliver blood to the rest of your body, the force your heart has to pump against with each heartbeat, and the amount of fluid in your chest.

    In a physician's office, the ICG test does not replace any tests that your physician is currently performing. Many patients are familiar with the ECG (or EKG) test, which measures the electrical function of the heart. The ICG test measures the mechanical function of the heart, and provides different information than an ECG.

    In the hospital, the ICG test provides some of the same information that a physician may receive from a right-heart catheterization (also known as pulmonary artery catheterization), which is usually done in the operating room or intensive care area. Because the ICG test is noninvasive, it can be performed anywhere in the hospital.

Patient Preparation
     No special preparation is required. Allow 20 minutes for this test.