Diagnostics
Non-invasive Testing:
The Heart Center pioneered minimally invasive procedures in Hawaii and is considered a leader in cardiac technology that maximizes safety and comfort and minimizes risk. The center offers the following noninvasive cardiac tests for adults and children:
These procedures require no hospital stay.
Cardiac Catheterization
Cardiac catheterization is a common, minimally invasive procedure for both diagnosis and treatment of heart conditions, especially blocked arteries.
A tiny plastic tube, called a catheter, is inserted into an artery of the leg and guided, with the assistance of an x-ray machine, into the heart or surrounding blood vessels. Cardologists use the catheter to measure pressure, collect blood samples and gain other information to aid diagnosis.
Specialized catheters are also used to open blocked arteries and valves, and even repair heart defects. Our highly qualified cardiac catheterization team Hospital performs more than 1,300 diagnostic and interventional catheterization procedures every year.
Electrophysiological Studies
Electrophysiology is the study of the electrical impulses that trigger heart muscles to contract – pumping blood through-out the body at a rate of about 70 beats per minute, every minute of life. If these impulses become irregular, the heart pumps less effectively. The consequences of this condition, which is called arrhythmia, range from dizziness and fainting spells to heart attack.
An arrhythmia can be a serious condition and must be diagnosed and treated quickly. Today, patients with heart rhythm irregularities benefit greatly from technological advancements. Biventricular pacemakers and biventricular internal cardioverter defibrillators are two new technologies used at Straub that are effective in the treatment of arrhythmias.
The Heart Center at Straub performs an average of 300 procedures per year, employing technology and procedures at the forefront of this complex and rapidly evolving field.