The Cardiology Department of Dr. Suat Günsel University of Kyrenia Hospital is working to protect the heart health, and to diagnose and treat existing heart diseases within the frame of world standards. Important diseases diagnosed and treated in Cardiology Department; SUB DEPARTMENTS OF CARDIOLOGY DEPARTMENT Cardiac Check-up Unit During the check-up process, the risk factors of heart diseases are examined, physical examination is performed, an effort test is applied, and echocardiography and blood test results are evaluated. If the results point to a possible heart disease, further examinations are required for final diagnosis. If the examinations are all normal, suggestions are given to the patient in order to reduce the risk factors and preserve heart health. Effort Test Laboratory Effort test; is done in order to diagnose atherosclerosis, evaluate the drug effects and effort capacity of diagnosed diseases and investigate rhythm and conduction impairments which can only be determined with exercise. Holter Laboratory As to the holter device, it measures blood pressure for 24 hours automatically within certain intervals. It can be used to hypertension diagnosis and evaluating the efficiency of the treatment. Telemetry Unit. Echocardiographic laboratory The most common way it is used is transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). In this method ultrasonic probe is used on the chest cage from the outside. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE); is done by placing the ultrasonic probe in the oesophagus. Because of the close proximity of the heart and oesophagus, this method can clearly visualize the cardiac cavities, aorta and cardiac valve structures. TEE is the method of choice for evaluating clots, aortic rupture in cardiac chambers, infections of cardiac valves, heart perforations and prosthetic valves. Stress echocardiography; is an echocardiography procedure performed after the heart workload is increased with effort or some medication. It is designed to investigate coronary artery disease and to investigate the cardiac muscle more precisely after a heart attack. Coronary Intensive Care Unit Severe heart problems such as heart attack, acute heart failure, and cardiogenic shock are closely monitored and treated in this unit. Temporary cardiac pacemaker, catheterization of the pulmonary artery, intra-aortic balloon and mechanical ventilation are some of the medical procedures performed in the coronary intensive care unit. Cardiac Catheterization and Coronary Angiography Laboratory Coronary Angioplasty and Stent application: Coronary angiography is usually treated with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) or stent if the strictures detected in the coronary vessels are at the state of preventing blood flow. Just like Coronary Angiography, PTCA operation can be done by entering through the artery in the leg or arm. Balloon angioplasty is performed by passing Balloon Catheter through the cannula placed in the artery. Although the success rate of PTCA treatment is high, the same vascular recurrence may be observed in the first 6 months. For this reason, the metallic material called "Stent" which is applied by mounting it on a balloon catheter and which is known to decrease the narrowing rate of vesiculation is used more nowadays. Electrophysiology and 3-Dimensional Ablation in the Cardiac Electrophysiology Laboratory The electrophysiology system installed within the angiography laboratory is designed to diagnose and treat abnormal heart rhythms by using advanced technologies such as magnetic activity–based systems, three-dimensional electrical electro-anatomical mapping of the heart, and real-time recording and monitoring of electrical activity. In the cardiac electrophysiology laboratory, a wide range of heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmias) can be treated. These include 3-dimensional atrial fibrillation ablation, 3-dimensional supraventricular tachycardia ablation, 3-dimensional endocardial–epicardial ventricular tachycardia ablation, 3-dimensional cardioneuroablation (an ablation procedure used to treat vasovagal syncope and functional low heart rates), and intracardiac echocardiography. In addition, diagnostic electrophysiological studies are performed to investigate the presence and origin of rhythm disorders. This new laboratory enables us to continue providing exceptional care to our community. Below, you can find a more detailed explanation for our patients. What is “3-Dimensional Cardiac Electro-Anatomical Mapping and Ablation”? Three-dimensional cardiac electro-anatomical mapping and ablation, briefly referred to as 3-dimensional ablation, is an advanced catheter ablation technique used in the treatment of heart rhythm disorders. In this method, the inner surface of the heart—and in rare cases, the outer surface—is visualized in three dimensions using specialized mapping systems. The source of the arrhythmia (rhythm disorder) is identified with millimetric precision. Treatment is performed by accessing the heart through the femoral vein and/or artery in the groin, similar to angiography, and the success rate is high. What is 3-Dimensional Ablation? 3-dimensional ablation is an advanced version of conventional ablation procedures. During the electrophysiological study, the inner surface of the heart—and in rare cases, the outer surface—is modeled in three dimensions using specialized systems. The mapping system clearly displays the electrical areas responsible for the rhythm disorder. As a result, the ablation procedure becomes safer, more targeted, more effective, and achieves higher success rates. Who Is 3-Dimensional Ablation Suitable For? 3-dimensional ablation is especially preferred as a first-line procedure in patients with structural heart disease, those who have previously undergone unsuccessful ablation, patients with complex arrhythmias, or those in whom a high success rate is desired. It is commonly used in atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, ventricular tachycardia ablations, cardioneuroablation (used to treat vasovagal syncope and functional low heart rates), and certain supraventricular tachycardias (such as those associated with accessory pathways or left-sided slow-pathway–related AVNRT). It also offers a safe option for children and patients with congenital heart disease. What Are the Advantages of 3-Dimensional Ablation? This method minimizes radiation exposure by reducing dependence on conventional fluoroscopy (X-ray). As a result, the amount of radiation the patient receives during the procedure remains very low. Because the detailed anatomical structure of the heart is mapped, the ablation target can be determined much more precisely, avoiding unnecessary ablation of healthy tissue. Procedure time may be shortened, and success rates increase. Especially in patients with recurrent palpitations, the likelihood of providing a permanent solution is very high. How Is 3-Dimensional Ablation Performed? The procedure is performed in the electrophysiology laboratory under local anesthesia. Thin catheters are advanced to the heart through the femoral vein and/or artery in the groin. Using the 3-dimensional mapping system, the electrical and anatomical structure of the heart is reconstructed. Once the areas responsible for the rhythm disorder are identified, ablation is performed using heat, cold energy, or high-voltage, ultra-short electrical pulses (pulsed field ablation). Most patients are discharged on the same day or the following day. What Should Be Considered After 3-Dimensional Ablation? A few days of rest (2–3 days) are recommended after the procedure. Mild pain or bruising may be observed at the catheter insertion site. Palpitations may temporarily persist during the first few days. Follow-up visits recommended by the physician should not be missed, and medications should be taken as prescribed. Is 3-Dimensional Ablation Safe? When performed in experienced centers, 3-dimensional ablation is an extremely safe procedure. The low level of radiation exposure and the ability to perform more precise targeting reduce procedural risks. Complication rates are low, and most patients can return to their normal daily lives within a short time.
Check-up is a health check that is performed in order to diagnose the diseases before complaints appear.
Effort and exercise test is usually done on treadmills, where cardiac workload is increased gradually. In the meantime, the EKG is monitored continuously and blood pressure is measure periodically.
Rhythm holter is recording the heart rhythm for 24 hours with a small device which is connected to the electrodes attached on the chest wall. It is done in order to determine cardiac rhythm and conduction impairments, evaluate the treatment success of arrhythmia, examination of the relation between fainting and electrical activities of the heart and finally, examination of silent coronary artery disease.
Used for follow-up of patients who are not present in the impatient ward but are still treated in the hospital. The rhythm of the patient who is carrying a small recording device connected to the electrodes, can be continuously monitored at the Telemetry Unit and recorded if necessary.
Echocardiography; It is the process of examining the structures and functions of the cardiac valves, heart muscle and dimensions of the cardiac cavities with the help of the sound waves.
The department of Cardiology has a 24-hour Coroner Intensive Care Unit equipped with top of the line modern technologies.
In the Angiography Laboratory, detailed information about heart pumping function, cardiac valves and coronary vessels is obtained. Important decisions such as coronary bypass operation, balloon angioplasty and cardiac valve operation are taken under the light of this information.
Cardiology
