Procedures

(To use our services please seek a referral from your GP, or contact us directly so we can assist you)

Our fabulous staff will ensure seamless access to our services. Working with your specialist, most of the tests are done on site within Ascot Hospital, using the latest in technology and skill. Let us know how we can help you and we will endeavour to meet your needs.

Ascot Angiography is an Affiliated Provider of services to Southern Cross Insurance, therefore we can arrange your cover directly with Southern Cross, once your cardiologist has determined the tests you require.

If you have health insurance with an alternative provider, we can also advise you on how to organise your prior approval.

Procedures

Diagnostic Procedures and Additional Tests

Your specialist may book you in for one of the following procedures after your consultation:

Coronary Angiogram

This procedure takes place within a hospital environment and is available at Ascot Angiography, within Ascot Hospital on level three.

An angiogram is generally performed as a day case, however depending on the outcome of the investigation, you may be required to stay in overnight. Dye is injected through a long, thin, flexible tube called a catheter into the bloodstream. Special x-rays are taken while the dye is flowing through the coronary arteries. The outcome of this test will determine your treatment. You may require Coronary Angioplasty, which involves insertion of a stent into an artery.

A coronary angiogram can take up to 30 minutes and you are not permitted to have any food or fluids for 4 hours prior to your test. If you are a diabetic and take insulin or tablets, you should take your medications as you normally do, or as advised by your specialist. For patients taking either Warfarin, Dabigatran or Rivaroxaban / Xarelto, your specialist may advise you to discontinue this medication on a specific date prior to your procedure. You are not permitted to drive for 24 hours following an Angiogram or an Angioplasty.

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Coronary Angioplasty

Read more about this procedure on the Angioplasty page.

This procedure takes place within a hospital environment and is available at Ascot Angiography, within Ascot Hospital on level three.

Your specialist will advise you during your consultation if you are going to require an angiogram and potentially an angioplasty, based on the findings of your angiogram. Coronary Angioplasty is performed to open blocked or narrowed coronary arteries. Angioplasty can restore blood flow to the heart using specialised equipment including coronary stents and balloons. This procedure can take up to 90 minutes following an angiogram and is generally performed as a day case. You will be required to stay in hospital a minimum of 8 hours and potentially overnight. If you are a diabetic and take insulin or tablets, you should take your medications as you normally do, or as advised by your specialist.

For patients taking Warfarin, Dabigatran (Pradaxa) or Rivaroxaban (Xarelto) your specialist may advise you to discontinue this medication on a specific date prior to your procedure. You are not permitted to drive for 24 hours following an Angiogram or an Angioplasty.

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Pacemaker

Is a device that is implanted just under the skin in the upper chest. It uses tiny electrical impulses to regulate the heart rhythm. Although there are different types of pacemakers, they are all designed to treat a heart rate that is too slow.

A very small incision is made under local anesthetic for the device to be implanted. Your consultant will recommend either a single or dual chamber device. The procedure takes up to 2 hours and an overnight stay at Ascot Hospital is required. No food is allowed from 4 hours prior to your procedure as you may be given a light sedation. We do not recommend driving within 24 hours of the procedure.

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Cardioversion

Cardioversion is a medical procedure used to restore a normal heart rhythm for people who have certain types of abnormal heartbeats (arrhythmias). Cardioversion is most often done by sending a small electric shock to your heart through electrodes placed on your chest.

You have been advised by your Cardiologist that you need a cardioversion because you have been experiencing erratic heart beats. The Cardioversion may restore your heart to a normal rhythm. You will be put to sleep with a light general anaesthetic for your Cardioversion. The procedure only takes a few minutes and you will not feel any pain or discomfort.

You will wake up and be monitored in the ward for 1 – 2 hours, until you feel able to go home.

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Transoesophageal echocardiogram (TOE)

A transoesophageal echocardiogram is an alternative way to perform an echocardiogram. A specialised probe containing an ultrasound transducer at its tip is passed into the oesophagus, via your mouth.

The images gained from putting the specialised probe down the throat makes it possible for the Cardiologist to achieve much better images of your heart.You will be given sedation before your TOE. This will be through an IV leur (a “drip”), which will be placed in your arm or hand before the procedure. Local anaesthetic liquid will be sprayed down your throat as well.

The TOE will take 10 – 20 minutes. Because you will receive sedation, you will need 1 – 3 hours to recover in the hospital afterwards.

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Electrophysiology Study (EPS)

An Electrophysiology Study looks at how well your hearts “electrical circuits” work.

It is a test performed to assess your heart’s electrical system or activity and is used to diagnose abnormal heartbeats or arrhythmia. The test is performed using catheters and wire electrodes, which measure electrical activity through the heart chambers.

An EP Study may be recommended by your Cardiologist as a diagnostic tool to help them:

  • See how well heart’s electrical system is working
  • Find the source and type of abnormal rhythm
  • Decide the best treatment for your arrhythmia
  • Identify the cause of heart palpitations, dizzy spells, or blackouts
  • Assess your risk of further heart problems
  • Decide if you need additional treatments, such as medications, pacemaker surgery, an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), or catheter ablation.

You may also need an EP Study if you have had an abnormality detected on another test, such as an ECG or Holter Monitor test.

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Ascot Hospital, Level 3
90 Greenlane East
Remuera, Auckland 1051

PO Box 17 187,
Greenlane, Auckland 1546

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