This is a technique using a contrast medium to outline blood vessels. The procedure may be done in a variety of ways, depending on the indications. Examples include coronary angiography, performed in the cardiac catheterisation laboratory, by an interventional cardiologist to examine the heart for blockages; peripheral angiography, done by a vascular surgeon also performed in a cardiac catheterisation laboratory, to look for blockages in the arteries to the lower limbs and CT angiography, performed by a radiologist in the X-ray department to look at a number of different organ systems.

Stenting involves stretching a narrowed area of the artery with a small cylindrical balloon. Once the narrowing has been stretched a stent is inserted (a fine mesh cylinder usually of stainless steel) that supports that part of the artery.

From stress echo cardiograph (an ultrasound test to measure how well your heart is pumping while using a treadmill) through to sleep apnoea testing, Transthoracic Echocardiogram, Trans Oesophegeal Echocardiogram, ECG monitoring via Loop Recorders and or Holter Monitors.

A minimally invasive procedure that assesses the electrical activity and conduction pathways of the heart.

A medical procedure in which part of the electrical conduction system of the heart, tumour or other dysfunctional tissue is ablated using the heat generated from high frequency alternating current.

A treatment for atrial fibrillation - an abnormal heart rhythm that originates in the upper chambers of the heart.

A medical device that uses electrical impulses, delivered by electrodes that contract heart muscles, to regulate the heart beat.

A small, battery-powered electrical impulse generator that is implanted in patients who are at risk of sudden cardiac death due to ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia.

A TOE is a procedure that looks at the heart chambers and valves using ultrasound. The probe is passed through the mouth and into the oesophagus. This is always done under anaesthetic or heavy sedation. Find out more.

A loop recorder is a small device that is inserted to allow the monitoring of your heart’s rhythm. When a patient becomes light headed or feels palpitations they can activate the loop recorder to record their heart rhythm at the time. This allows your cardiologist to review and interpret the rhythm and decide upon the best management plan for your condition.

Cardioversion is a process that involves applying electrical energy to the heart in an effort to shock the heart out of AF. In an external cardioversion you are given a medicine to help you relax then external paddles are placed on your chest or back. An electrical shock is sent through the paddles and travels through to the heart.

The purpose of a PVI is specifically to treat an abnormality of the pulmonary veins by isolating electrical activity within the pulmonary veins. Treatment involves the use of balloons and stents to open the narrowing and hold it open.

Patent Foramen Ovale and Atrial Septal Defect (hole in the heart) – Via a small incision in the groin, a cardiac catheter (a long, thin, flexible, hollow tube) is positioned into the heart. The Closure device will be deployed under Transoesophageal Echocardiogram guidance while the patient is under a General Anaesthetic. The device will provide for the heart to grow over and close the Patent Foramen Ovale or Atrial Septal Defect. 

Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device is implanted at the opening of the left atrial appendage and is intended to prevent left atrial appendage blood clots from entering the patient’s blood stream and potentially causing a stroke.

Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery restores blood flow to the heart muscle by adding a graft (vein or artery) to bypass the blocked area. The procedure may be done with the help of the heart-lung machine, or without ("off-pump") depending on the patient's circumstances and the surgeon's approach.

This is an operation to repair or replace one of the four valves inside the heart. Sometimes these valves may become narrowed, causing obstruction to blood flow, or the valve may leak causing the blood to flow backwards within the heart which affects the efficiency of the heart's function.