Special diagnostic tests and procedures

The purpose of this article is to provide the physical therapist with a clinically useful description of diagnostic tests commonly used for patients in cardiac rehabilitation. I reviewed five diagnostic tests: coronary angiography, thallium 201 myocardial perfusion imaging, radionuclide ventriculography, echocardiography, and Holter monitoring. The procedural techniques, indications, diagnostic capabilities, limitations, and comparisons of these tests are discussed. I present the applicability of these tests relative to the therapist's roles as clinician, educator, and cardiac rehabilitation team member.