Lab Services
- Last Updated On :
Information for patients about procedures:
Holter monitoring:
Holter monitoring is a procedure during which ECG of the patient is continuously recorded over a 24 hour period. For this purpose, leads are placed on the chest and attached to a small unit which patient can keep in his pocket. The patient can then go home and do his/her normal daily activities. The patient has to come back the next day to have the holter unit removed. A diary is also given to the patient where he can make a note of any complaints (giddiness, palpitations, chest pain etc) along with the exact time. The ECG is later analyzed for any abnormalities during this 24 hour period.
After you receive the form for Holter from your consultant in OPD, you can go to room number 48 (9am to 4pm) for an appointment. The patients need to come at 9am on the appointed day. A fees of Rs 300/- needs to be deposited to the cash counter before the procedure. This can be done on any day between 9 am and 8 pm at the cash counter (room number 28-b).
Treadmill Test (TMT)
Treadmill test or TMT is done to determine if the heart muscle is getting adequate blood supply during periods of exertion. The patients walk on a treadmill the speed and slope of which increases every 3 minutes. The ECG, blood pressure etc are continuously monitored during the procedure. If the patients feel any discomfort they should tell the doctor and the exercise can be stopped at any time.
After you receive the form for Treadmill test from your consultant in OPD, you can go to room number 48 (9am to 4pm) for an appointment. The patients need to come at 9am on the appointed day. A fees of Rs 300/- needs to be deposited to the cash counter before the procedure. This can be done on any day between 9 am and 8 pm at the cash counter (room number 28-b).
Cardiac catheterization (“cath” or angiography):
Cardiac cath is a procedure done in cath lab in which thin long tubes are inserted into arteries and veins of upper thigh and advanced to reach the heart. The pressures in different chambers of the heart are recorded and radio-opaque contrast material is injected so as to visualize the heart chambers and blood vessels using X-rays. Using this procedure many heart diseases can be diagnosed and treated. Angioplasty and valve dilatation are extension of the same procedure.
The patients are advised to come to room number 5 or 28 in OPD on one day prior to the procedure at 4pm (called “cath selection”). They should deposit the fees for the procedure before coming at the cash counter (room number 28-b between 9am and 8pm). At the time of cath selection, the patients are given instructions about the procedure. Their ECG, Chest X-ray and blood test may be done at this time. The patients then go back home and come the next day at 8am to the “cath lab”. The patients should be fasting on this day. The morning dose of medicines should be taken with a small amount of water before 7am on the day of cath.
Echocardiography (“Echo”) Test
After you receive the form for Echo test from your consultant in OPD, you can go to room number 48 (9am to 4pm) for an appointment. A fees of Rs 100/- needs to be deposited to the cash counter before the procedure. This can be done on any day between 9 am and 8 pm at the cash counter (room number 28-b). The patients need to come to Echo lab on the appointed day and time. Fasting is needed only for transesophageal echocardiography.
