An Alcohol Septal Ablation is a minimally-invasive treatment performed by an Interventional Cardiologist to relieve symptoms and improve the functional capacity in symptomatic patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a condition of the heart whereby the heart muscle grows abnormally thick without any obvious cause (such as high blood pressure). This abnormal thickening of the heart muscle can make it harder for the heart to pump blood around the body.

Cardioversion is a medical procedure by which an abnormally fast heart rate (tachycardia) or cardiac arrhythmia is converted to a normal rhythm using electricity or medications. Synchronized electrical cardioversion uses a therapeutic dose of electric current to the heart at a specific moment in the cardiac cycle. Pharmacologic cardioversion uses anti-arrhythmia medication instead of an electrical shock.

A Coronary Angiogram is a procedure where a special X-ray of your heart’s arteries is taken to see if they are narrowed or blocked. A catheter (a long tube) is inserted into an artery in your groin and is moved up inside your artery until it reaches your heart. A special dye is then injected into the tube and x-ray images are taken as the dye is pumped through your heart and coronary arteries (the arteries supplying blood to your heart). These X-rays give clear and accurate information about the state of your heart and coronary arteries.

Angioplasty (also known as Percutaneous Coronary Intervention, or PCI) is the technique of mechanically widening narrowed or obstructed arteries. An empty and collapsed balloon, known as a balloon catheter, is passed into the narrowed locations and then inflated to a fixed size. The balloon forces expansion of the inner white blood cell/clot plaque deposits and the surrounding muscular wall, opening up the blood vessel for improved flow, and the balloon is then deflated and withdrawn. A stent (metal scaffold) is then placed at the site of the narrowing to keep the artery open.

An electrophysiology study (EP study) is a minimally invasive procedure that assesses the electrical activity and conduction pathways of the heart. EP studies are performed in a Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory to determine the cause and location of any abnormal beats or heart rhythms and helps identify the most appropriate forms of treatment. This type of study is performed by a Cardiac Electrophysiologist.

Renal artery denervation is a procedure that aims to treat resistant hypertension (high blood pressure) by using radiofrequency pulses. These radiofrequency pulses are aimed at the renal arteries to cauterise or burn certain nerve endings that have been found to increase blood pressure. Burning these nerve endings effectively ‘silences’ the signals that increase blood pressure, and can reduce overall blood pressure by approximately 30mmHg.

A transoesophageal echocardiogram, or TOE, is an alternative way to perform an echocardiogram. A specialized probe containing an ultrasound transducer at its tip is passed into the patient’s oesophagus. This specialised probe, called a transducer, is used to send ultrasound waves to the heart. As the ultrasound waves bounce off the structures of the heart, a computer in the echo machine converts them into pictures on a screen. It has several advantages and some disadvantages compared to a transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE).

An artificial pacemaker (not to be confused by the heart’s natural pacemaker) is a medical device that delivers electrical impulses to regulate the beating of the heart. The main reason for needing a pacemaker is when a person’s heart rate is too slow (bradycardic) either because the natural pacemaker of the heart is not fast enough, or there is a block in the heart’s electrical conduction system. Modern pacemakers are able to be checked externally and the pacing modes can be modified at any stage by a Cardiologist if required. Pacemakers are inserted in a Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory by a Cardiologist.

An ICD or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator is a small device that looks similar to a pacemaker and may be required if a person’s heart is found to be at risk of going into a dangerous heart rhythm, such as ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. ICDs work by sensing and stopping these dangerous arrhythmias by producing extra beats or electrical shocks to restore the heart to a normal rhythm.

An implantable loop recorder is a small device about the size of a matchbox that is implanted just under the skin of the chest to record the heart’s electrical activity. The monitor will store information as electrocardiograms (ECGs). If an irregular heart rhythm occurs, the recorder will detect the abnormality and store it until it is reviewed by a Technician/Cardiologist.