The Cardiology Graphic Method Service offers the following exams both for hospitalized patients and for outpatients:

- Echocardiogram
- Echo-colour Doppler
- Transeosophageal echocardiogram
- Stress echocardiogram
- Ergometric test
- Electrocardiogram
- Holter
- ABPM (ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring)
 
  
 Electrocardiogram

The Electrocardiogram (ECG) graphically records the electric activities of the heart. For that sensors that can pick up the electric flow (electrodes) are placed on the legs, arms and chest and signals are sent to the electrocardiograph. The interpretation of the data shows the heart rhythm, be it normal or with rhythm alterations – heart beats that are quick, slow or irregularly - and the sequence in which they occur.
The exam is available round-the-clock. During the exam, the equipment is operated by technicians and the physician concentrates mainly on the patient.

Ergometric test

This exam is crucial to stratify coronary risk. Conducted on a treadmill, it shows the performance of the heart during an effort protocol that is directed by the physician. As this is an action test, it must be conducted in an environment that can deal with any incident that might occur, having at hand all necessary equipment for cardio-pulmonary resuscitation.

Echocardiogram

This exam is used to show the structure of the heart with ultra-sound images. The physician can identify alterations in the size of the heart chambers and muscle, valve defects among others.

Echo-Doppler

A diagnostic method used to evaluate the functions of different organs:

- Carotid and vertebral arteries
- Renal arteries
- Aorta and iliac
- Peripheral arteries and veins
- Heart (echocardiogram)

Transeosophageal Echocardiogram

This is the exam indicated for patients with Atrial Fibrillation, the most common type of cardiac arrhythmia seen and one of the main causes of Cerebral Vascular Accident or stroke. The exam shows the existence or not of clots in the hearts, information that is of great importance for the physician to define the ideal therapeutic behaviour for each patient. The Transeosophageal Echocardiogram is also applied as an auxiliary method during cardiac surgery.

24 and 48 hour Holter

These are small-size portable devices that the patient has connected to the body during a 24 or 48 hour period. The device allows monitoring the behaviour of the heart during normal activities and thus detects cardiac arrhythmias, evaluates symptoms such as palpitations, dizziness, as well as an indication to implant a pacemaker or to follow-up the evolution of a patient with a pacemaker or an implantable defibrillator. The data is digitally registered, thus with slightest external interferences in the signals, and consequently a more accurate result.

ABPM (ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring)

It is a Holter that monitors blood pressure. The device has a special sensor connected to an arm cuff, similar to that of a regular device to measure blood pressure. It is placed on the arm and close to the body and inflates in programmed intervals. The 24 hour use of the device makes it possible to determine the efficacy of the medication on patients with hypertension or to evaluate the blood pressure alterations without the involuntary interferences that might commit the patient during a regular visit to the physician.