Cardiology

• Interventional Cardiology :

This speciality involves non-surgical procedures for treating cardiovascular diseases, such as angioplasty and stenting, which are used to open blocked arteries. Nulife Hospital's interventional cardiologists are skilled in using catheter-based techniques to treat heart diseases effectively and minimally invasively.

• Electrophysiology :

Specialists in this area focus on diagnosing and treating conditions related to irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias). Nulife Hospital offers advanced diagnostic services and treatments to manage and correct arrhythmias, including cardiac ablations, pacemakers, and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs).

• Cardiac Imaging :

At Nulife, advanced imaging technologies such as echocardiography, cardiac MRI, and CT scans provide detailed images of the heart and vascular system. These tools are crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment strategy planning.

• Pediatric Cardiology :

It is dedicated to diagnosing and treating heart conditions in infants, children, and adolescents. Nulife Hospital provides specialised care for congenital heart defects, diagnostic services, and ongoing heart health management from childhood through adolescence.

• Cardiothoracic Surgery :

This speciality involves surgical treatment for diseases affecting the organs inside the thorax (the chest), primarily the heart and lungs. Nulife surgeons are skilled in CABG, valve repair/replacement, and aortic aneurysm surgeries.

• Preventive Cardiology :

It is focused on reducing the future risk of heart disease through lifestyle modification, diet, exercise, and preventive medications. Nulife's preventive cardiology programs are tailored to individual patient profiles to help manage risk factors such as hypertension, cholesterol, and diabetes.

• Cardiac Rehabilitation :

Nulife's cardiac rehabilitation programs emphasise the management of postoperative and chronic diseases. These programs are intended to help patients improve their cardiovascular health through supervised exercise, education, and support and recovery from heart surgery, procedures, or heart attacks.

• Heart Failure Management :

Nulife Hospital offers advanced diagnostic and therapeutic options, including medication management, ventricular assist devices, and monitoring systems, to treat chronic and acute heart failure. It specialises in heart failure care and focuses on optimising treatment, monitoring, and improving quality of life.

• Electrocardiogram (ECG) :

Measures the heart's electrical activity to identify irregularities.

• Echocardiography :

Ultrasound waves are used to create images of the heart, which can help diagnose structural issues and monitor heart function.

• Stress Tests :

Evaluate heart function under stress, typically using a treadmill or medication that simulates exercise.

• Cardiac Catheterisation :

It involves a thin tube being inserted into the heart through a vein or artery to provide detailed visual information and pressure readings inside the heart chambers.

• Cardiac MRI and CT Scans :

It Offers detailed images of the heart and blood vessels used to diagnose heart diseases and plan surgeries.

Interventional Procedures

• Coronary Angioplasty and Stenting :

This medical procedure unblocks coronary arteries, which helps improve blood flow to the heart muscle.

• Balloon Valvuloplasty :

Involves the insertion of a balloon catheter to open a stiff heart valve.

• Atherectomy:

Removes plaque from the arteries to improve blood flow.

• Endovascular Repair of Aortic Aneurysms :

This technique repairs the weakened aorta caused by an aneurysm with minimal invasion.

Electrophysiology

• Pacemaker Insertion :

A device that helps control abnormal heart rhythms.

• Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) :

This implantable electronic device observes heart rhythm and delivers electric shocks to restore a normal heartbeat.

• Cardiac Ablation :

Uses radiofrequency energy to destroy small areas of heart tissue that may be causing abnormal rhythms.

Surgical Procedures

• Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) :

The surgery aims to enhance blood flow to the heart by rerouting blood around obstructed arteries.

• Heart Valve Surger :

Repair or replace heart valves that don't open or close properly.

• Heart Transplant :

The process of replacing a diseased heart with a healthy heart from a donor is known as heart transplantation.

Heart Failure Management

• Ventricular Assist Devices (VADs) :

Mechanical devices that help pump blood from the heart's lower chambers (the ventricles) to the rest of the body.

• Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) :

It uses a special pacemaker to ensure the heart's timely and efficient pumping action.

• Medical Management :

It involves using medications such as ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, diuretics, and others to manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

Preventive Cardiology and Rehabilitation

• Lifestyle Modification Counseling :

Guidance on diet, exercise, and healthy lifestyle choices to prevent heart disease.

• Rehabilitation Programs :

Structured programs include physical activity, nutrition counselling, and education on heart-healthy living after a heart attack or surgery.

• 3D Echocardiography :

This technology provides three-dimensional images of the heart, allowing for more precise measurements and better visualisation of heart structures and function than traditional 2D echocardiography.

• Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI):

Offers detailed images of the heart and its surrounding structures, aiding in accurately diagnosing complex cardiac conditions without radiation exposure.

• Multislice Computed Tomography (CT) Scanning:

Enables rapid and detailed cross-sectional imaging of the heart, often used to assess coronary artery disease and evaluate bypass grafts and stents.

• Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS)

This procedure uses a specialised catheter with an ultrasound probe on its tip to view the inside of the arteries, helping to assess the severity of blockages.

• Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) :

Aortic valve replacement through a minimally invasive surgical procedure; TAVR is preferred for intermediate or high-risk patients who cannot undergo open-heart surgery due to a narrow aortic valve.

• Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) :

A guide-wire-based procedure that accurately measures blood pressure and flow in a specific part of the coronary artery to identify blockages.

• Electrophysiological Ablation Techniques :

Using the latest radiofrequency and cryoablation technologies, these procedures target areas of the heart muscle, causing irregular heartbeats, effectively reducing symptoms and restoring normal rhythm.

• Robotic-Assisted Surgery :

Allows cardiac surgeons to perform complex cardiac surgeries with more precision, minor cuts, and reduced recovery times compared to traditional open-heart surgery.

• Minimally Invasive Direct Coronary Artery Bypass (MIDCAB) :

Utilised for bypass surgery on the left anterior descending artery using smaller incisions and often without the need for cardiopulmonary bypass.

• Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass (OPCAB) :

This technique involves coronary artery bypass surgery without using the heart-lung machine, which can benefit certain patients.

• Wearable Cardiac Devices :

These devices continuously monitor heart activity and can detect irregularities in real-time, allowing for prompt intervention. They range from fitness trackers monitoring heart rate to advanced implantable devices detecting arrhythmias and other conditions.

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Cardiology :

AI algorithms assist in interpreting complex diagnostic data, predicting patient outcomes, and personalising patient treatment plans based on large data sets and predictive analytics.

• Telemedicine and Remote Monitoring :

These tools have become particularly valuable. They enable ongoing management of chronic cardiac conditions from a distance, improve patient adherence to treatment, and reduce the need for in-person visits.