{"id":2364,"date":"2017-08-31T03:49:28","date_gmt":"2017-08-31T03:49:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/tpch\/?post_type=services&p=2364"},"modified":"2018-01-05T04:22:42","modified_gmt":"2018-01-05T04:22:42","slug":"tests-and-procedures","status":"publish","type":"services","link":"https:\/\/metronorth.health.qld.gov.au\/tpch\/healthcare-services\/cardiology\/tests-and-procedures","title":{"rendered":"Tests and procedures"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Cardiology tests and procedures<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"parent":1971,"menu_order":0,"template":"","categories":[1],"tags":[1391,1381,1382,1383,1384,1385,1386,1387,1388,1389,1390,1380,1392,1393,1394,1395,1396,1397,1398,1399,1400,1401,1254,89,225,735,772,799,801,833,1229,1249,1253,1265,1266,1271,1281,1374,1375,1376,1377,1378,1379],"class_list":["post-2364","services","type-services","status-publish","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-loop-recorder","tag-dse","tag-electrocardiogram","tag-esg","tag-ep","tag-est","tag-hole-in-the-heart-closure","tag-holter-monitor","tag-home-arrhythmia","tag-icd","tag-implantable-cardioverter-defibrillator","tag-dobutamine-stress-echocardiogram","tag-laa","tag-biospy","tag-ppm","tag-patent-ductus-arterious-repair","tag-vad","tag-tte","tag-tow","tag-tash","tag-tilt-table","tag-heart-catheter","tag-abpm","tag-tests","tag-ecg","tag-angioplasty","tag-calcium-score","tag-tavi","tag-mri","tag-perfusion-scan","tag-cardiology","tag-exercise-stress-test","tag-ambulatory-blood-pressure-monitor","tag-electrophysiology","tag-pacemaker","tag-procedures","tag-cardioversion","tag-aortic-stent-implant","tag-atrial-fibrillation-ablation","tag-af","tag-cardio-mems","tag-cardio-ct","tag-coronary-angiogram"],"acf":{"page_subtitle":"","page_type":"general","include_in_alphabetical_listing":false,"page_sections_general":[],"accessing_this_service":[{"variation":"GP or medical practitioner referral","free_text":""}],"include_refer_a_patient_panel":true,"refer_a_patient_text":"","refer_a_patient_link":"","specialist_hotline":"1300 364 938","after_your_hospital_appointment":[{"variation":"Preadmission and surgery","free_text":""}],"general_content_0":false,"what_to_bring":[{"category":"general","what_to_bring_general":[{"display":[],"every_time":"","_copy":"","for_appointment":"","_copy2":"","for_procedure":"","_copy3":"","for_overnight":""}],"what_to_bring_mental_health":false,"what_to_bring_child_health":false}],"general_content":[{"other_content":[{"heading":"","content":"

<\/i><\/i><\/span>Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitor<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
<\/span><\/p>\n

A device that measures blood pressure at regular intervals for 24 hours during normal daily\/nightly activity. Patients may have this device if they have high blood pressure (hypertension) or variable blood pressure which is difficult to control. A small device worn on a belt or around the neck is connected to a blood pressure cuff on the arm. Throughout the day and night the cuff inflates every 30 to 60 minutes and the patient\u2019s blood pressure is recorded.<\/p>\n

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<\/i><\/i><\/span>Aortic Stent Implant<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
<\/p>\n

A stent is implanted into the aorta to treat aortic coarctation (aortic arch narrowing). The stent is placed at the site of the narrowing using a catheter inserted into a major artery. The stent is then implanted and dilated to widen the artery.<\/p>\n

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<\/i><\/i><\/span>Atrial Fibrillation (AF) Ablation<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
Atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation is used to treat some abnormal heartbeats that may be caused by an extra electrical circuit in the heart. An injection of local anaesthetic is injected into the groin and a number of very small cuts are made in the skin. A special catheter is passed up through the vein in the groin into the heart. Using x-rays, the doctor can view the location of the catheter while it records electrical signals from the heart. This part of the procedure is called an Electrophysiology Study (EPS) and allows the doctor to work out what abnormal heart beats you have.<\/p>\n

Ablation delivers electrical energy to the inside of the heart to change abnormal tissues. The heat energy cuts off the abnormal pathways and may prevent abnormal heartbeats. A mild burning feeling may be felt in the chest when the abnormal pathway is being cut off. This is the \u2018ablation\u2019. The burning feeling will lessen when the ablation stops.<\/p>\n

Consent information –\u00a0Atrial Fibrillation (AF) Ablation<\/a>
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<\/i><\/i><\/span>Cardiac CT (computed tomography)<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
<\/p>\n

Computer Tomography (CT) or \u2018CAT\u2019 scans are special x-ray scans that produce cross-sectional, highly detailed pictures of the body using x-rays and a computer. The structure and function of the heart are recorded non-invasively and may eliminate the need for an invasive angiogram. The scanning machine takes multiple pictures of the heart and coronary arteries and is capable of generating a three dimensional (3D) picture of the heart.<\/p>\n

Consent information – Cardiac CT<\/a><\/p>\n

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<\/i><\/i><\/span>Cardio MEMS<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
<\/p>\n

Cardio MEMS is a device which is implanted into the pulmonary artery to monitor pulmonary artery blood pressure and alert the treating cardiologist if there are changes in pulmonary artery pressure.\u00a0The device is used by cardiologists to adjust medications based on the patient\u2019s pulmonary artery pressures and reduce the number of hospitalisations due to heart failure.<\/p>\n

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<\/i><\/i><\/span>Cardioversion<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
<\/p>\n

Electrical cardioversion is a procedure used to convert an abnormal heart rhythm (such as Atrial Fibrillation AF) to a normal rhythm (sinus rhythm). A defibrillator is used to deliver specific amounts of energy to the heart muscle through patches placed on a patient\u2019s chest to restore a normal heart rhythm. \u00a0Patients receive general anaesthetic for this procedure.<\/p>\n

Consent information – Cardioversion<\/a><\/p>\n

Discharge information – Cardioversion<\/a><\/p>\n

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<\/i><\/i><\/span>Coronary Angiogram<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
<\/span><\/p>\n

A Coronary Angiogram displays any narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries. A catheter is inserted into an artery in the wrist or groin and gently directed to the heart and the coronary artery. A dye is then injected into the coronary artery and the heart\u2019s pumping chambers. X-ray pictures are taken of the heart and artery to determine the location and size of any blockages.<\/p>\n

Consent information – Coronary Angiogram<\/a><\/p>\n

Discharge information – Angiogram<\/a><\/p>\n

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<\/i><\/i><\/span>Coronary Angioplasty<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
<\/p>\n

The insertion of balloons and stents to open blocked coronary arteries.\u00a0 In this procedure a catheter is inserted into the arm or groin and gently directed to the heart and the coronary artery. The catheter is delivered to the site of the blockage where a balloon and\/or stent is deployed to widen it. A stent is a permanent implant to reshape the blood vessel.<\/p>\n

Consent information –\u00a0Coronary Angiogram and\/or Angioplasty\u00a0and Stenting<\/a>
\nDischarge information – Angioplasty<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Widening blood vessels (angioplasty) and stabilising blood vessels (stenting)<\/h4>\n

View what happens during an angioplasty and stenting procedure.
\n

Watch the video<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/div><\/div>
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