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.

CCTA stands for coronary computed tomography angiography. It is a specialized CT scan that produces detailed images of the coronary arteries, the blood vessels that supply the heart muscle. CCTA is most commonly used to evaluate possible coronary artery disease in people with symptoms such as chest discomfort or shortness of breath. It is also used in selected patients to clarify risk and guide next diagnostic steps.

Coronary CT Angiography is a heart imaging test that uses a CT scanner and IV contrast dye to show the coronary arteries. It creates detailed pictures of blood vessels that supply the heart muscle. It is commonly used to evaluate possible coronary artery disease in people with chest symptoms or unclear test results. It can also help clinicians understand plaque (buildup) and narrowing in the coronary arteries.

Cardiac CT is a computed tomography scan focused on the heart and nearby blood vessels. It uses X‑rays and computer processing to create detailed cross‑sectional images. It is commonly used to evaluate coronary artery disease, heart anatomy, and some structural heart conditions. It is performed in hospitals and imaging centers, often as an outpatient test.

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is an advanced imaging test that uses a strong magnetic field to create detailed pictures of the heart and blood vessels. It is commonly used in cardiology to evaluate heart structure, heart function, and heart muscle tissue characteristics. CMR can help clarify the cause of symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or unexplained fatigue. It is performed in hospitals and imaging centers with MRI scanners and trained cardiovascular imaging teams.

Cardiac MRI is a heart-focused scan that uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed images of the heart and nearby blood vessels. It shows heart structure and function without using ionizing radiation (the type used in X-rays and CT). Cardiac MRI is commonly used in hospitals and specialty cardiovascular imaging centers to evaluate symptoms, diagnose disease, and guide care planning. It can assess heart muscle, blood flow, scarring, inflammation, and many congenital or acquired heart conditions.

Speckle Tracking is an imaging analysis method most commonly used with echocardiography (heart ultrasound). It follows natural “speckle” patterns in ultrasound images to measure how heart muscle moves and deforms. In plain terms, it helps clinicians quantify how well the heart squeezes, relaxes, and coordinates its motion. It is widely used in cardiology to assess myocardial strain, especially of the left ventricle.

Strain Imaging is a way to measure how heart muscle deforms as it contracts and relaxes. It turns subtle motion of the myocardium (heart muscle) into numbers and curves that reflect function. It is most commonly performed during an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart). It is also available with cardiac MRI and, in selected settings, other imaging methods.

Tissue Doppler is an echocardiography (ultrasound of the heart) technique that measures how fast heart muscle moves. It focuses on myocardial (heart muscle) motion rather than blood flow. It is most commonly used during a standard transthoracic echocardiogram performed in an outpatient or hospital setting. Clinicians use it to better understand how the heart squeezes and relaxes.

Color Doppler is an ultrasound method that shows blood flow using color on the screen. It is most commonly added to echocardiograms (heart ultrasound) and vascular ultrasound exams. It helps clinicians see the direction and relative speed of blood moving through the heart and blood vessels.

Doppler Echocardiography is an ultrasound-based heart test that evaluates blood flow. It uses the Doppler effect to estimate how fast and in what direction blood is moving. It is commonly performed as part of a standard transthoracic echocardiogram (echo). Clinicians use it in clinics, hospitals, emergency settings, and perioperative care.

TEE is a type of heart ultrasound performed from inside the esophagus. It uses sound waves to create moving images of the heart and nearby blood vessels. TEE is commonly used in cardiology clinics, hospitals, operating rooms, and catheterization labs.

A Transesophageal Echocardiogram is an ultrasound test that creates detailed images of the heart from inside the esophagus. Because the esophagus sits directly behind the heart, the pictures are often clearer than standard chest ultrasound images. It is commonly used in hospitals, operating rooms, and cardiac procedure labs to answer specific clinical questions. It can help clinicians evaluate heart valves, chambers, and nearby blood vessels in real time.

TTE stands for transthoracic echocardiography, also called a transthoracic echocardiogram. It is a noninvasive ultrasound test that creates moving images of the heart through the chest wall. TTE is commonly used in cardiology clinics, hospitals, and emergency settings to evaluate heart structure and function.

A Transthoracic Echocardiogram is an ultrasound test that creates moving pictures of the heart from the outside of the chest. It uses sound waves (not radiation) to evaluate heart structure and blood flow. It is commonly used in cardiology clinics, hospitals, emergency departments, and pre-operative evaluations. It helps clinicians understand symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or swelling by assessing heart function.

Echocardiography is an ultrasound test that creates moving pictures of the heart. It helps clinicians see heart chambers, valves, and blood flow in real time. It is commonly used in clinics, emergency departments, and hospitals. It can be performed at the bedside or in an imaging laboratory.

PET is a type of imaging test that shows how tissues function, not just how they look. PET is commonly paired with CT to combine “activity” images with detailed anatomy. In cardiovascular care, PET is used to evaluate blood flow to the heart and certain inflammatory conditions. It is often discussed in the context of chest pain assessment and coronary artery disease.

SPECT is a type of medical imaging that shows how blood flow and living tissue function. It uses a small amount of radioactive tracer and a special camera to create 3D images. In cardiovascular care, it is commonly used to evaluate the heart’s blood supply and pumping function. It is often paired with a “stress test” to assess symptoms like chest discomfort or shortness of breath.

Myocardial Perfusion Imaging is a heart test that evaluates blood flow to the heart muscle. It is most often performed as a type of “stress test” with imaging. It helps clinicians look for reduced blood supply that can occur with coronary artery disease. It is commonly used in cardiology clinics, hospitals, and outpatient imaging centers.