Ankle-Brachial Index is a simple ratio comparing blood pressure at the ankle to blood pressure in the arm. It helps clinicians understand how well blood is reaching the legs through the arteries. It is commonly used to evaluate for peripheral artery disease (PAD), a form of atherosclerosis in the legs. It is often performed in cardiology, vascular medicine, and primary care settings.

An EP Study is a specialized heart rhythm test performed by cardiac electrophysiology teams. It measures the heart’s electrical signals from inside the heart using thin catheter “wires.” It is commonly used in hospitals and electrophysiology labs to evaluate abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias). In some cases, it is combined with treatment during the same session, such as catheter ablation.

An Electrophysiology Study is a specialized heart test that evaluates the heart’s electrical system from inside the heart. It uses thin catheters to record electrical signals and, when needed, to gently pace the heart. It is commonly used to investigate abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) such as fast or slow heartbeats. It is typically performed in a hospital electrophysiology (EP) lab by a cardiac electrophysiologist.

Tilt Table Test is a supervised test that evaluates how blood pressure and heart rate respond to changes in posture. It is commonly used when people have fainting, near-fainting, or dizziness that may relate to circulation or reflexes. The test is typically performed in a cardiology lab, electrophysiology unit, or autonomic testing clinic. It helps clinicians reproduce symptoms while monitoring the cardiovascular response in a controlled setting.

CPET stands for cardiopulmonary exercise testing. It measures how the heart, lungs, blood vessels, and muscles work together during exercise. It is commonly used in cardiology and pulmonary clinics to evaluate shortness of breath, exercise intolerance, and functional capacity. It can help clarify whether symptoms are more likely cardiac, pulmonary, circulatory, muscular, or related to conditioning.

A Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test measures how your heart, lungs, and muscles work together during exercise. It combines an exercise test with breath-by-breath analysis of oxygen use and carbon dioxide production. It is commonly used in cardiology, pulmonary medicine, and sports or rehabilitation settings. It helps clinicians understand why symptoms like shortness of breath or fatigue happen with activity.

OCT is short for optical coherence tomography. It is an imaging method that uses light to create very detailed pictures of tissue. In cardiovascular care, OCT is most commonly used inside blood vessels during coronary angiography and stent procedures. It helps clinicians see the inside of an artery in cross-section, beyond what standard X-ray angiography shows.

Optical Coherence Tomography is a high-resolution imaging method that uses light to create detailed pictures of tissue. In cardiovascular care, it is most commonly used inside coronary arteries during cardiac catheterization. It helps clinicians see vessel walls, plaque, and stents in much finer detail than standard angiography. It is also used in other fields (such as eye care), but this overview focuses on heart and vascular applications.

IVUS stands for intravascular ultrasound. It is an imaging technique that uses sound waves from a tiny ultrasound probe inside a blood vessel. IVUS is most commonly used during cardiac catheterization to assess coronary arteries. It can also be used in selected peripheral vascular procedures.

Intravascular Ultrasound is an imaging test performed from inside a blood vessel using a tiny ultrasound probe on a catheter. It creates cross-sectional pictures of the artery wall and the space where blood flows. It is most commonly used during cardiac catheterization to assess coronary arteries and guide stent procedures. It can also be used in selected peripheral (non-heart) arteries.

iFR is a pressure-based index used to evaluate how much a coronary artery narrowing affects blood flow to the heart muscle. It is measured during a cardiac catheterization (coronary angiography) using a specialized pressure-sensing guidewire. iFR stands for “instantaneous wave-free ratio,” and it is calculated during a specific portion of the heartbeat when resistance is naturally lower and more stable. It is commonly used in cath labs to help decide whether a coronary stenosis (narrowing) is likely to benefit from revascularization, such as stenting.

Instantaneous Wave-Free Ratio is a way to measure how much a coronary artery narrowing is limiting blood flow. It is calculated during a heart catheterization using a thin pressure-sensing wire. It compares pressure before and after a narrowing during a specific part of the heartbeat. It is commonly used to help decide whether a coronary blockage is likely to benefit from stenting or other treatment.

FFR stands for fractional flow reserve. It is an invasive measurement used to estimate how much a coronary artery narrowing limits blood flow to the heart muscle. FFR is most commonly assessed during coronary angiography (cardiac catheterization). Clinicians use it to help decide whether a blockage is likely to benefit from stenting or other revascularization.

Fractional Flow Reserve is a pressure-based measurement used to assess how much a coronary artery narrowing limits blood flow. It is measured during a cardiac catheterization (coronary angiography) using a specialized pressure sensor. It helps clinicians decide whether a blockage is likely to cause ischemia, meaning inadequate oxygen delivery to the heart muscle. It is commonly used to guide decisions about stents or other revascularization approaches in stable coronary artery disease.

A Hemodynamic Study is a medical evaluation of how blood moves through the heart and blood vessels. It measures pressures, blood flow, and oxygen levels to understand how well the cardiovascular system is working. It is commonly performed in a cardiac catheterization laboratory using thin tubes (catheters). It can also be discussed more broadly as “hemodynamic assessment” in critical care and perioperative settings.

A Coronary Angiogram is an invasive imaging test that shows blood flow inside the heart’s coronary arteries. It uses X-ray imaging and contrast dye to outline the arteries that supply the heart muscle. It is commonly performed in cardiac catheterization laboratories (“cath labs”) in hospitals. Clinicians use it to diagnose or clarify coronary artery disease and to guide treatment decisions.

Right Heart Catheterization is a test that measures pressures and blood flow on the right side of the heart and in the lungs. It uses a thin, flexible tube (catheter) placed into a vein and guided into the heart. It helps clinicians understand how well the heart pumps blood to the lungs and how the lungs’ blood vessels behave. It is commonly used in cardiology, pulmonary hypertension care, and intensive care settings.

Left Heart Catheterization is an invasive test in which a thin tube (catheter) is guided through an artery to the left side of the heart. It is commonly used to evaluate the coronary arteries, the aortic valve, and left-ventricular (LV) pressures. It is often performed in cardiac catheterization laboratories (cath labs) in hospitals. It may be diagnostic (to understand a problem) and, in some cases, paired with treatment during the same session.

Cardiac Catheterization is an invasive heart test and treatment approach performed using thin tubes called catheters. It is commonly done in a cardiac catheterization laboratory (“cath lab”) using live X-ray imaging. It helps clinicians diagnose and sometimes treat problems involving the heart chambers, valves, and coronary arteries.

Invasive Coronary Angiography is a catheter-based imaging test used to look directly at the heart’s coronary arteries. It uses X-ray imaging and contrast dye to show blood flow and areas of narrowing or blockage. It is commonly performed in a cardiac catheterization laboratory (“cath lab”) in hospitals. It helps clinicians confirm or rule out coronary artery disease and plan next steps in care.