This identifies heart problems without the use of needles, fluids or other instruments inserted in the body. The techniques used are

• Nuclear Cardiology – a non-invasive study of cardio-vascular disorders through various imaging types
• Echocardiography – Ultrasound waves create images of the heart and surrounding structures to identify how well the heart pumps blood and scan for infections and abnormalities.
• Cardiac electrophysiology – analysis and testing of electrical currents which generate heartbeats
• Stress tests – involves exercise closely monitored by the cardiologist
• Heart monitors – Also called as Holter Monitor or cardiac event recorder, these tape electrical activity over a set amount of time
• CT scans – produce an image of the affected area to examine for heart diseases and atherosclerosis.

An EP study is a test which is performed to assess a heart’s electrical system or activity and to diagnose abnormal heartbeats or arrhythmia. This test involves catheters and wire electrodes to measure electrical activity through blood vessels which enter the heart. There are two parts to EP study – Recording heart’s electrical signal to assess the electrical function and pacing the heart to instigate abnormal rhythms for observation under controlled conditions. In our controlled environment, induced arrhythmias are handled by trained professionals and up-to-date equipment.

There are several interventional cardiology procedures available with us -

• Stenting – a stent is usually placed after angioplasty
• Atherectomy – a minimally invasive procedure, offered as an alternative to angioplasty
• Embolic Protection – helps to reduce debris from being released into the bloodstream which minimises complications and blockages in smaller vessels
• Percutaneous Valve Repair – other names for this procedure include Percutaneous Aortic Valve Replacement (PAVR), Percutaneous Aortic Valve Implantation (PAVI), Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR).

This procedure replaces the aortic valve through blood vessels instead of open-heart surgery.

These procedures are to open up blocked or narrowed coronary arteries. Angioplasty is minimally invasive and a balloon catheter is used to widen the artery from inside. A stent is placed to keep it open. This is typically used to treat simpler or fewer blockages while a bypass surgery might be recommended for people with the triple-vessel disease, diabetes, if the arteries are blocked in several areas or if the block is present in one of the major arteries. The treatment depends on

• Severity and extent of blocks
• Symptoms including chest pain or shortness of breath
• Heart function
• Additional medical conditions such as kidney disease or prior stroke/ heart attack.

This procedure is used to improve blood flow, dissolve potentially dangerous clots and prevent damage to tissues and organs. There are various methods which can be used such as – injection of clot-busting drugs through an IV, inserting a long catheter which delivers drugs to the site of the blockage or using a mechanical device along with the catheter to remove the clot physically or break it up. It is used to treat blood clots in –

• Veins or clots in legs, pelvic region, upper extremities
• Bypass Grafts
• Dialysis Catheters

This process is initiated if the clot is considered to be life-threatening – such as in cases of heart attack, stroke or pulmonary embolism

Surgical implantation of a small electronic device in the chest to regulate slow electrical problems with the heart. Some problems for which pacemaker might be required are –

• Bradycardia – the sinus node causes the heart to beat too slowly
• Tachy-Brady syndrome – alternating fast and slow heartbeats
• Heart Block – delayed or blocked electrical signal
• Cardiac Arrest

The procedure is simple and is done under the influence of a local anaesthetic. The patient will soon be able to return to normal activities soon after the implantation.

This procedure is used to replace a poorly working mitral valve with an artificial valve. This will ensure that the blood can flow in and out of the left ventricle without any stress to the heart. There are several conditions which might require this surgery –

• Mitral Valve Prolapse – valve leaflets bulge back
• Mitral Valve Stenosis – leaflets become thick or stiff and may fuse

The procedure is performed if there are signs and symptoms or if the conditions become worse. The patient will be able to return to normal activities soon after surgery.