ECG and heart echo
As in human medicine, an ECG examination is performed at the KUROSZ Clinic as a standard diagnostic test for the slightest suspicion of cardiac conditions. We use a modern BTL ECG machine with data archiving software. In addition, we have cardiac monitoring equipment: cardiac monitors for the diagnosis of cardiac arrhythmias, as well as for anaesthetic surveillance.
Heart Echo is an advanced diagnostic test. This a highly specialised examination requiring the use of a state-of-the-art ultrasound machine in a special configuration for the examination of the heart. During the examination, all parts of the heart can be carefully viewed, measured and, thus, assessed: ventricles, atria, valves, walls, outlets. Most importantly, it is possible to examine these structures in motion which, in combination with a Doppler examination (pulsed, continuous, colour Doppler), allows heart function to be assessed very accurately. This test is particularly recommended for patients:
- with suspected congenital heart disease,
- in whom a heart murmur can be heard on examination,
- in whom symptoms of cardiovascular insufficiency are noted (more rapid fatigue, reluctance to move, coughing, shortness of breath, fainting),
- before surgery (especially in older patients),
- in whom heart disease is suspected on the basis of other tests (cardiac abnormalities, enlargement of the heart on X-ray, ascites, chest fluid, pulmonary oedema, liver enlargement),
- breeds that are more prone to heart disease (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in cats, dilated cardiomyopathy in large breeds of dogs, endocardiosis of the bicuspid valve in small breeds of dogs, aortic outlet stenosis in molosser pit bulls, Amstafs and others).
Changes on ECHO heart examination can often be detected even before the onset of clear clinical symptoms, allowing the course of the disease to be monitored and the need for treatment to be reliably assessed. The examination is non-invasive, completely painless, does not require sedation of the patient, and gives a great deal of information.
The entire examination is archived and, if necessary, issued as a recording on CD with a full description.