Cardiomyopathy

Tests

How is cardiomyopathy diagnosed?

The process of arriving at a cardiomyopathy diagnosis usually involves several steps. Your clinician will:

obtain a thorough medical history by speaking with you, your child (if he is old enough) and your child’s referring physician, and reviewing all relevant labwork and reports
give your child a comprehensive physical exam
listen to your child’s heart and lungs with a stethoscope
order specific tests

What tests will be done?

Your clinician may use one or more of the following tests to reach (or rule out) a diagnosis of cardiomyopathy:

blood tests, including tests to measure:
- B-type natiuretic peptide (BNP), a protein produced in the heart. BNP levels rise when the heart undergoes stress that may cause heart failure.
- iron levels, which, when elevated, may cause weakening of the heart
- kidney function
- thyroid function
chest x-rays, which make it possible to view the structure of the heart and detect any enlargement
electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG), which measures electrical activity within your child’s heart
echocardiography, which uses ultrasound to assess you child’s heart structures and function
cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which uses a large magnet, radio waves and computer to evaluate the structure and function of your child’s heart and blood vessels
stress echocardiography, which uses ultrasound and heart rate monitoring to assess your child’s heart function just before and just after exercise, or during the administration of a drug that mimics the effects of exercise on the heart
a stress test, or exercise test, which measures your child’s capacity for physical exertion
cardiac catheterization, which uses a small, flexible tube inserted into a vein or artery to provide a detailed view of the heart’s internal structures and accurate measurement of the pressure inside of the heart chambers and vessels.
coronary angiography, which uses minimally invasive imaging technology to map the veins or arteries in your child’s heart