Cardiology Investigations

Echo: This is an ultrasound of the heart which shows the size of the heart and how it contracts. It also shows how well the valves are opening and if there is any leaking. Everyone should have an Echo between the ages of 18 and 20 and then at 65. Patients with high blood pressure, murmurs and those with shortness of breath should have an Echo. At 90 Sloane Street we have the very latest, state-of-the-art machine.

Heart Rhythm Monitor: We offer a range of devices to monitor your heart rhythm which include Holter monitors, Zio devices and Kardia devices.

Stress echo: This is a cardiac test that we recommend when appropriate, it involves no radiation, and will detect coronary narrowings of more than 50%. An Echocardiogram (ultrasound) of the heart is performed first at rest and then again when the heart rate has been increased by either exercise on a bicycle, or by an infusion of dobutamine.

Consultant - Denis Pellerin

Ultrasound

We offer the following ultrasound scans in-house using our state-of-the-art machine.

Abdominal

Renal tract

Pelvic including Trans-vaginal Ultrasound

Musculoskeletal

Deep Vein Thrombosis scans

Urine Flow rate

Thyroid scan (by appointment)

Holter and Zio Monitors

Holter monitors have three leads attached, allowing them to view the heart electrically from different angles, similar to a standard 12-lead ECG but with just three leads. This provides an advantage over Zio monitors, which are simply stuck on the chest and record only one vector, similar to Lead I of a standard electrocardiogram.

The advantages of the Zio monitor are that it has no leads, making it easier to tolerate for longer recordings. Holter monitors, on the other hand, can often be removed after one or two days, sometimes up to five, and the data can be read very quickly. A Zio monitor is typically worn for 10 to 14 days, and it takes a few days for the report to be processed. With a Holter monitor, we can read the data immediately if necessary. Additionally, having multiple vectors with the Holter monitor helps in diagnosing difficult types of tachycardias.

Choosing between the two is a personal decision for each patient. With a Holter monitor, you can be given spare tabs to remove it for activities like bathing, swimming, or undergoing an MRI or CT scan, and then reattach it. The Zio monitor, however, can only be applied once.