Invasive Cardiac Diagnostics
Invasive Cardiac Diagnostics
Implantable Loop Recorder (ILR)
An ILR is a small device that is implanted just under the skin on your chest and is used to monitor the heart rhythm over a long period of time. It is used for patients who have intermittent symptoms (dizziness, palpitations, etc) which fail to be captured by regular ECG and holter monitors.
Cardiac MRI Scan
A cardiac MRI scan provides a detailed image of the inside of the heart. It is used to assess the heart structure and can determine any damage to the cardiac muscle after a heart attack or heart failure. CMR can also be used to look at the blood supply to your heart and diagnose conditions like angina or coronary heart disease.
Electrophysiological Study
An EP study is performed in the Cath Lab usually under local anaesthesia. A single or multiple catheters may be used to test the electrical conduction of the heart. EP studies are used to investigate the cause, origin and determine best treatment for arrhythmia.
Transoesophageal Echocardiogram (TOE)
A TOE can be used to assess many structure in the heart. It is highly sensitive in detecting blood clots in the left atrium and is therefore routinely used before an operation to ensure that there are no clots in the left atrium. An ultrasound probe is inserted down the oesophagus to produce a digital image of the heart.
Myocardial Perfusion Scan
A myocardial perfusion scan compares blood supply to the heart muscle during rest and on exercise. It is used to assess damage to the myocardium after a heart attack. It can also be used to detect reduced blood flow to the heart muscle during exercise as a result of myocardial ischemia or angina.
CT Coronary Angiogram
A CT coronary angiogram is a specialised X-ray. The patient will lie down on a bed and a dye is injected into a small vein in the arm. The bed is then transferred to a CT scanner that will produce a digitial image of the heart showing blood flow through the coronary arteries. A CT coronary angiogram can be used to detect coronary artery disease.
Coronary Angiogram
A coronary angiogram is performed in the Cath Lab using a catheter which is inserted through a blood vessel in your arm/groin and directed towards the heart using X-ray. The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia. A coronary angiogram helps visualise the cardiac blood vessels and can detect any occlusion, thrombosis or stenosis (narrowing) of the coronary arteries.