Cardiology

Specific examinations for main heart diseases

The Cardiology Operative Unit is one of the most advanced ward of the Clinica San Francesco, where the patients can execute specific tests dedicated to the one of most important body organ.

Which examinations to realize for the heart?

Discover the operation areas

• Electrocardiogram
• Electrocardiogram (ECG) strain pattern
• Ecocolordoppler
• Dynamic electrocardiogram
• 24 hour pressure monitoring
• Vascular ecocolordoppler (venous and arterial)

Electrocardiogram

The electrocardiogram (ECG) is the layout obtained by the electrocardiograph, a special device that records the heart electric activity through electrodes applied in different body points, specifically twelve electrodes positioned on chest, wrists and ankles.

The electrocardiogram diagram has a form recognized as “normal”: in relation to this diagram heart rhythm alterations and/or coronary circulation deficit or other heart diseases can be diagnosed. The electrocardiographic examination does not consider a specific preparation and does not involve any risk for the patient.

Electrocardiogram (ECG) strain pattern

The heart stress test is a diagnostic examination fit to measure the heart capacity to respond stress signs, induced by physical activity in a controlled clinical environment. The heart stress test compares the coronary circulation while the patient rests with his/her circulation during the greatest physical exertion, showing any abnormal flow towards the muscle tissue of heart (myocardium).

During the physical exertion, indeed, there are hemodynamic conditions which implicate an increase of heart work and can highlight alterations not verifiable at rest. The test can be used for the diagnosis of ischemic heart disease and prognosis after myocardial infarction (MI).

Ecocolordoppler

Information on valvar cardiac morphology and ascending aorta as dimensions, thickness and efficiency can be extracted by the echocardiographic test, using an ultrasound emission probe .

Together with the echography, during the test the physician can use the color and Doppler procedure for an accurate evaluation of cardiac valves and cardiac hemodynamics function.

Dynamic electrocardiogram

The Dynamic electrocardiogram consists in the 24 hours continuous recording of heart electric activity. This recording is carried out by placing five electrodes on chest that transmit constantly the heart electric activity to a recording device contained in a small box (worn at waist by patient 24 hours).

Compared to the basic electrocardiogram, it provides wider information since can detect possible modifications happening during the normal daily activities (as for example working, eating, sleeping, doing physical activity). The patient has to go to the Clinica San Francesco both the day planned for the placement and the day after for removal of recording device. Such examination doesn’t provide for a specific preparation and doesn’t involve any risk for the patient.

24 hour Pressure Monitoring (MPA)

The pressure monitoring consists in applying a functioning battery device to the arm, able to measure the patient’s different pression values during the 24 hours. The pression values are controlled every fifteen minutes both day and night.

The examination sometimes cannot be tolerable owing to continuous measuring that force the patient to keep superior limb interested in position of stillness. The examination doesn’t provide for a specific preparation and doesn’t involve any risk for the patient.

Vascular Ecocolordoppler

The examination consists in the exploration of several compartments arterial and venous vessels, as, for example, the carotid axis, jugular or superior and inferior limbs. It uses the ultrasound and colordoppler echography. Indeed, the color acts as contrast agent, whereas the Doppler provides important information on vascular flows.

This kind of test is very useful for the diagnosis of atherosclerosis and other arterial compartment diseases or for detecting alterations of the venous flow, as for example the chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), or deep venous circulation obstruction (thrombosis).  The examination doesn’t provide for a specific preparation and doesn’t involve any risk for the patient.