What is Cardiology?

Cardiology is a branch of medicine dealing with disorders of the heart as well as parts of the circulatory system. The field includes medical diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular heart disease and electrophysiology.

Who is a Cardiologist?

Physicians who specialize in this field of medicine are called cardiologists, a specialty of internal medicine.

What is Heart Disease and Stroke?

Heart disease and stroke are cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) diseases. Heart disease includes several types of heart conditions. The most common type in the United States is coronary heart disease (also known as coronary artery disease), which is narrowing of the blood vessels that carry blood to the heart. This can cause:

• Chest pain
• Heart attack (when blood flow to the heart becomes blocked and a section of the heart muscle is damaged or dies)
• Heart failure (when the heart cannot pump enough blood and oxygen to support other organs)
• Arrhythmia (when the heart beats too fast, too slow, or irregularly)

With some of the best cardiologists in Chennai, At Dr.Kamakshi Memorial Hospital, we provide a wide range of diagnostic and treatment services for cardiac patients. Our Cardiac Services are recognised for clinical expertise, rapid assessment and customized care. Dr. KMH is ready to treat patient at any time with all types of infrastructures in providing cardio care to the patients for 24x7.

Our team of expert cardiologists are highly trained on both non-invasive and interventional cardiology. Cardiovascular consultation is a very important aspect of cardiac treatment. By discussing your current complaints, analysing and evaluating the risks/complications, our consultant's advice on adopting healthy lifestyle habits and appropriate treatment plan. Our Cardiac care infrastructure such as Cardiac Care Emergency Unit, Catheterization Laboratory, Cardiac OT, and Cardiac ICU is completely equipped to handle 360-degree cardiac emergencies 24/7 and 365 days.

Correct identification of complicated heart conditions is achieved by best heart specialist at Dr.Kamakshi Memorial Hospitals. Our wide range of facilities in diagnosis and treatment of heart diseases include (but not limited to),

Cardiac Surgery

• Heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft)
• Arrhythmia treatment
• Heart Valve Replacement Surgery

Echocardiography

The diagnosis of congenital heart disease is usually made by echocardiography (ultrasound of the heart). Our excellent facilities allow diagnosis to be made in the foetus, in preterm babies weighing 500 grams as well as in fully grown adolescents and adults.

ECG (Electrocardiogram)

• Any irregularity in heart rate, rhythm and beats
• Diagnosis of coronary heart disease
• If a heart attack has occurred, its location and size
• Efficacy of prescribed cardiac medication

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Our MRI scanners allow us to make detailed images and measurements of the heart's pumping chambers (ventricles), valves and the blood flow in the different vessels attached to the heart.

Pacemaker and ICD Monitoring

Patients who have a Pacemaker / Implantable Cardiovascular Defibrillators (ICD) devices implanted are required on a regular basis checks to ensure that the cardiac device is working properly and if need be to fine tune the device's function. A Consultant will also be able to obtain any information about patient's heart rate and heart rhythm from the cardiac device as it keeps a record of any abnormal heart rate or irregular heart rhythm they may have had and make the appropriate changes to their treatment. The process of checking patient's pacemaker/ICD is called interrogation.

Angiography

Angiography is a medical imaging technique used to visualize the inside of blood vessels and organs of the body such as the arteries, veins, and the heart chambers. This technique is performed using equipment such as catheters (thin, flexible tubes) and a radio-opaque contrast agent (X-ray) to highlight the blood vessels as the dye passes through them.

Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory

Our state of art Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory headed by the most renowned and experienced set of cardiologist team offering a variety of diagnostic and interventional cardiac procedures used in the treatment of coronary artery and peripheral vascular disease. We perform approximately 1,300 procedures in Cardiac Cath Lab including diagnostic heart carterization, balloon angioplasty and stent placement (including cardiac, carotid and peripheral stenting).

Coronary CT angiography is the use of computed tomography angiography to assess the coronary arteries of the heart.

Balloon Atrial Septostomy - a small hole is created in the upper two chambers of the heart to increase oxygen saturation.

Electrophysiology Studies (EPS) helps in understanding the nature of abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias). EPS can determine where arrhythmia is coming from as well as it will help a consultant to decide whether their patient requires medicine, a pacemaker or whether they need to have an appropriate procedure or a surgery. Pericardiocentisis is a procedure where fluid is aspirated from the pericardium (the sac around the outside of the heart).

Renal Denervation is a catheter based procedure using radio frequency ablation or ultrasound ablation aimed at treating resistant hypertension (high blood pressure not controlled by medication).

Valvuloplasty is the widening of a narrowed valve using a balloon catheter inside the valve. The balloon is placed into the valve that has become stiff from calcium buildup. The balloon is then inflated in an effort to increase the opening size of the valve and improve blood flow.

PAEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY

It deals with the diagnosis and treatment of the children with heart conditions. As well as expertise in heart disease, paediatric cardiologists also need a thorough grounding in general paediatrics, in order to provide all-round patient care.

Paediatric cardiologists broadly treat congenital heart disease (present at birth), arrhythmias (variations in heartbeat rhythm) and disturbances of circulatory function. . Best pediatric cardiologist provides greatest care for young hearts through a team-based, specialized approach.

CARDIOTHORACIC INTENSIVE CARE UNIT-CTICU

Dr.Kamakshi Memorial Hospital has the specialized CTICU specifically for the care of postoperative cardiac and thoracic surgery patients. These patients have undergone cardiac surgery, thoracic surgery, heart transplant, lungs transplants and ventricular assists device placement. ICU has the well trained healthcare professionals in support of patients in invasive cardiac monitoring, cardiac support device and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. We also specialize in the ventilator care of all the patients in CTICU. Our facilities in the CTICU is supported by a multi-disciplinary team of intensivists, resident medical officers, nursing staff, dieticians, physiotherapists, pharmacists, occupational therapists and other allied health professionals. By optimizing current knowledge via continuous training, education, and clinical research, the team keeps improving for delivering best cardiac care services in Chennai, Tamilnadu, India.