Coronary angiography is the process of taking images of the coronary “heart” arteries by passing a thin tube called a catheter through an arm artery to the top of the heart. A small amount of contrast is injected and an x-ray camera outside the body takes images.

Coronary angioplasty and stenting are procedures to reopen blocked or significantly narrowed coronary arteries. This may involve inflating a balloon or placing a stent (an expandable metal scaffold) into the artery to restore blood flow.

Angiography and stenting are commonly performed under local anaesthetic without the need for a general anaesthetic.

A pacemaker is a small device usually inserted under the skin of the upper chest and attached to a pacing wire that paces your heart when your heart is unable to do so adequately. This procedure is commonly performed under local anaesthetic without the need for a general anaesthetic.

Coronary bypass surgery, otherwise known as coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is a procedure that uses another artery or vein to restore blood flow to your heart muscle by bypassing the area of blockage or narrowing.

For severely narrowed or leaking valves these may be repaired or replaced. This can be achieved with standard surgery, less invasive surgery or via minimally invasive catheter-based procedures. To replace a heart valve, your doctor may remove the heart valve and replace it with a mechanical valve or a biological tissue valve.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a minimally invasive heart procedure performed via femoral artery access and avoids the need for a large surgical cut. Your Cardiologist and surgeon will advise if this procedure is suitable for you.

Mitral valve surgery can also be performed minimally invasively by either repairing a leaking valve with a clip or a new valve or by ballooning a narrowed mitral valve.

Structural heart procedures provided by Mount Hospital include:

• Patent foramen ovale closure (PFO)
• Atrial septal defect (ASD)
• Ventricular Septal Defect closure (VSD closure)
• Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion or Closure

CTCA uses computed tomography (CT) scanning to take detailed images of the heart. It is a quick (scanning takes 15 seconds) and easy test, without the need for invasive procedures, to determine if there are any significant narrowing in the heart arteries.

Electrophysiology (EP) studies, are a series of tests that examine your heart's electrical activity. They involve mapping the electrical paths in the heart to determine if significant electrical abnormalities exist. This may be carried out prior to considering the best management for heart arrhythmias.

Cardiac ablation uses heat (radiofrequency) or cold (cryo) energy to create tiny scars in your heart to block abnormal electrical signals that cause rhythm disturbances. This procedure is used to correct heart rhythm problems such as atrial fibrillation.

DC cardioversion (DCCV) is used to treat irregular heart rhythms - commonly atrial fibrillation. The procedure involves a general anaesthetic and placement of electrodes on the chest. An electrical impulse or shock is delivered to return the heart rhythm to normal.

A transesophageal echocardiogram is a type of echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) that takes images from behind the heart. This is achieved by passing the probe down the back of the throat (very similar to an endoscopy or gastroscopy procedure). The images obtained are of better quality than a normal echocardiogram due to the lack of lung (air) between echo probe and heart.

An implantable loop recorder is a convenient and easy way to obtain long term ECG recording by implanting a tiny paperclip sized device under the skin. This device can record ECGs for 3 plus years and is generally suited for patients with unexplained fainting and strokes/ministrokes of unknown cause. Your doctor can remotely monitor your heart rhythm via a mobile link that you keep in your home.