Cardiac Physiology

The Wakefield Cardiac Physiology Department is conveniently located on Level 2 of Wakefield Hospital. It provides quality cardiac assessment facilities for
general practitioner referrals, specialist consultants, including the Wakefield Heart Centre consultants and Wakefield Hospital inpatients.
Procedures available through General Practitioner or Consultant referrals:

• Electrocardiograms


• Spirometry


• 24 hour ECG monitoring (Holter monitoring)


• Event Monitoring


• Echocardiograms


• 24 blood pressure monitoring

Cardiologist referrals are required for:

• Treadmill Exercise Test


• Myocardial Perfusion Scan


• Exercise Stress Echocardiogram


• Dobutamine Stress Echocardiogram

The cardiologist will be present during the tests.

Electrocardiogram (ECG):

A quick painless recording of the heart rhythm. Electrodes are placed on the chest, ankles and wrists and a recording is made while the patient lies still and relaxed. Duration: 10 mins

Spirometry:

A simple breathing test. The patient blows into a mouthpiece attached to a small handheld device. Depending on results Ventolin may be given and the test repeated. Duration: 15 mins

24 hour ECG monitoring (Holter Monitoring):

A 24 hour continuous ECG recording. 5 electrodes are applied to the chest and cables are attached to a monitor worn around the waist. The monitor records heart rhythm. There is a patient symptom button to mark your symptom times. The monitor is removed 24 hrs later and analysed and a report is sent to the referring doctor.

Event Monitoring:

Usually worn continuously for two weeks. Three electrodes are placed on the chest (these can be changed each day after bathing) and connected to small monitor.
Patient activates recording when symptomatic then recordings sent by telephone to Wakefield Hospital for reporting.

24 Hour Blood Pressure Monitoring:

A 24hr continuous blood pressure recording. A blood pressure cuff is attached to the arm and to a monitor worn around the waist. The cuff automatically inflates
every hour during the night and half hourly during the day. Readings are recorded for analysis. Preparation time approximately 15 mins.

Echocardiogram (Cardiac ultrasound):

A painless test which uses high frequency sound waves to produce an image of the structure of the heart. Duration: 40 - 60 mins.

Transoesophageal Echocardiogram:

Requires being nil by mouth for 4hrs prior to the test. Some sedation is given and the patient is then assisted to swallow a probe (similar to gastroscopy).
At completion of the study the probe is removed. The patient rests for 30 minutes and then they may go home. They must not drive themselves.

Exercise Stress Echocardiogram:

An echocardiogram study is performed with the heart at rest and is then repeated after an exercise stress test. Loose comfortable clothing and walking shoes are required (see Treadmill exercise test and Echocardiogram).

Dobutamine Stress Echocardiogram:

This test is similar to a stress echocardiogram but the heart is stressed by a drug (Dobutamine) rather than exercise. No fasting is necessary. Patients are not able to drive themselves home.

Treadmill Exercise Test:

Ten adhesive electrodes are attached to the chest and connected to a monitor. The patient then walks on a treadmill while their heartbeat is monitored. Patients require comfortable loose clothing (eg. Trackpants or shorts) and walking shoes.

Myocardial Perfusion Scan (Cardiolite Exercise Scan):

This takes most of the day. A resting Xray scan is carried out in the morning after an injection of an isotope (duration 40mins). Approximately 4 hrs later an exercise test with an injection of isotope at peak exercise is performed followed by a further 20min scan. Loose clothing and comfortable shoes are required.
Patients are required to fast for 4hrs prior to this test.

ECG and spirometry reports will be faxed to the General Practitioner the same day.
Reports for Echocardiograms will be faxed within 72 hrs.
Reports for 24hr blood pressure monitoring and 24 hr ECG monitoring will be faxed within 48 hrs of receiving the monitor.

Contact Details: All appointments contact Wakefield Heart Centre ph 04 381 8115, Fax 04 3818116. Email: heart@wakefield.co.nz