Diagnostic Protocols

The diagnostic protocols administered to a patient being for ECP are identical to those administered to any patient suspected of heart disease:

	A comprehensive metabolic panel
	A lipid panel, including testing for levels of lipoprotein A and lipoprotein B,  fibrinogen, platelet count, homocysteine, and folic acid
	Testing for C-reactive protein
	Resting EKG and Stress EKG
	An echocardiogram
	Radio-nucleotide Imaging
	EBT (electron beam tomography) with calcium scoring
	Coronary angiogram

Follow-up Testing and Evaluation

While the effects of ECP can last anywhere from three to five years, cardiovascular disease is progressive. Therefore, every six months following ECP, patients should receive the following tests and evaluations to ensure that the therapeutic benefits are maintained:

	Cardiac echo
	Treadmill (stress test EKG)
	Comprehensive metabolic panel
	A lipid panel, including testing for levels of lipoprotein A and lipoprotein B, fibrinogen, platelet count, homocysteine, and folic acid