Cardiac physiology

• an Echo is an ultrasound of your heart. This allows us to see how well your heart is pumping. You will need to take off your top clothes and lie down on the bed (gowns are provided if needed). Jelly is used to help move our camera across your tummy and your chest. This jelly is cold, but it doesn’t hurt. You can watch your phone or Tablet while this test is being performed. When we are finished, we wipe all the jelly away and gently remove the stickers. Follow the link to watch an echocardiogram to help prepare for your scan - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ylPbU-mfrw
  
• the echo takes on average 30 minutes to perform.

• an ECG involves applying 10 “jelly button stickers” (electrodes) across the chest, arms and legs. These jelly buttons are connected to our computer to print a picture that allows us to see how well your heart is beating. An ECG is very safe, very quick and painless. An ECG takes approximately 10 minutes
  
• follow the link to watch a video to help prepare for your ECG –
• https://youtu.be/oVoH74AjZXQ

• a 24 hour Holter monitor is very similar to an ECG. 5 jelly buttons are applied to the chest. The jelly buttons (electrodes) are connected to a small box that fits in your pocket for you to take home. This will not affect your normal day-to-day routine but you can’t swim, bath or shower while the monitor is on, as they are NOT waterproof. It takes approximately 15 minutes to fit a Holter monitor
  
• after 24hrs, you take the monitor off and return it to our department for reading. We will be able to see how your heart was beating over the 24hours and we will give the results to the Cardiologist

Follow the link to watch a video to help prepare a child for Holter monitor fitting https://youtu.be/W3QvHgucCDY

• a Novacor or event monitor is a device used to capture symptomatic episodes that only happen every now and again. It is worn over a two-week period. Two jelly buttons (electrodes) are placed on the chest, which connect to a small box. There is a record button for you to press when you feel your symptoms.
  
• this monitor can be worn during exercise and sporting events. The monitor must be removed before swimming, bathing and showering, as they are NOT waterproof. Extra jelly buttons are supplied so you can change them every 24 hrs or after bathing
  
• when the monitor is returned, it is downloaded and analysed and the results are given to your Cardiologist
  
• it takes approximately 15 minutes to fit an event Monitor

• do not be put off by the name of this test. Our stress test is really fun! You will be walking / jogging on a treadmill up a small ramp. ECG jelly buttons (electrodes) and a blood pressure cuff are worn whilst walking on a treadmill and in the short rest period after the test. Your blood pressure is taken before, during and after the test. It is important to wear comfortable clothing and appropriate footwear for the treadmill. Exercise tests take 45 minutes on average.
  
• if you require an inhaler please bring it along.
  
• follow the link to watch a video to help prepare a child for an Exercise Stress Test https://youtu.be/MCS_6ixfq8U

• If you have an implantable cardiac device, we will see you regularly for your check-ups. This involves four jelly buttons (electrodes) placed on our chest, which connects you to a computer that talks to your device. This allows us to see how your device is working. We can check the battery and make sure all the settings are correct for you.
  
• We will also answer any questions you or your parents/guardians might have about your device.
  
• This can take up to 30 minutes depending on what changes we might need to make or how many questions you have.

• In the Cardiac Cath lab we help the Cardiologist perform minimally invasive procedures, such as device insertions and diagnostic measurements for example angiograms and recording intra-cardiac blood pressure.
  
• Please see the Cardiac Cath information guide here

Cardiac Catheterisation