Cardiology Clinic

Profile

The Cardiology Clinic at Larnaca General Hospital, as the only cardiology clinic in the district of Larnaca, handles a significant volume of cases on a daily basis. Its objective is to provide high-quality services for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cardiovascular diseases. A team of experienced physicians are continuously working to deliver accurate diagnosis, management, and treatment across the full range of cardiac conditions. In addition to patients of the Cardiology Clinic, they provide consultation for patients admitted to other departments of our hospital, as well as preoperative and perioperative assessments.

Successful treatment begins with an accurate diagnosis. Patients undergo specialised examinations to precisely identify the causative pathology of their symptoms. Subsequently, they work together with the patients to design personalised regimens tailored to the nature of their condition. Our clinic collaborates with other Cyprus-based healthcare institutions, particularly the Cardiology Clinic at Nicosia General Hospital, to ensure comprehensive care for patients.

Immediate intervention such as urgent coronary angiography and angioplasty is performed on patients with acute myocardial infarction and other acute coronary syndromes, in collaboration with the hemodynamic department of NGH.

Our specialised medical, nursing, and administrative staff are dedicated to providing the best healthcare for patients, as well as offering information and support to their families.

HISTORY OF THE CLINIC

Until late 2002, cardiac patients were admitted to the Pathology Department, which operated as a multidisciplinary clinic with the participation of two cardiologists. From late 2002, the departments were divided to distinct entities one of which is the Cardiology Department operating today. Initially, it was led by Dr. Michalis Minas and shortly thereafter by Dr. Evagoras Nikolaides and four other cardiologists. The clinic’s organisational chart provides for a staff of seven cardiologists (6 + 1 Director). The clinic is accredited for granting a partial specialisation in Cardiology (2 years) and has positions for two Cardiology specialty trainees. It occupies approximately half of the ward’s capacity on the 7th floor of the Hospital for inpatient care of cardiac patients while plans are in place to expand to the entire floor raising its capacity to 24 inpatient beds. The clinic admits patients who require intensive care to the Intensive Care Unit.

The Cardiology Clinic serves approximately 12,000 patients annually (inpatients and outpatients).

The clinic performs non-invasive specialised examinations, which are continuously restructured and upgraded in alignment with the department’s expansion.

LABORATORIES

Echocardiography Laboratory

The Cardiology Clinic at Larnaca General Hospital has been at the forefront of implementing modern echocardiographic methodologies in clinical practice.

Trans-thoracic and trans-oesophageal echocardiography

Trans-thoracic echocardiography (2D, 3D, m-mode, Doppler, and triplex imaging) is performed painlessly and non-invasively to assess the morphology and functionality of the myocardium. Three-dimensional echocardiography (3D) has raised significantly our capability in interpreting, diagnosing and treating cardiac conditions.

Trans-oesophageal echocardiography is a specialised ultrasound examination for imaging the cardiac chambers, valves, and major vessels in higher resolution. This examination is necessary when a complete anatomical impression of the heart is not feasible by means of trans-thoracic echocardiography. For the acquisitions, a flexible probe is inserted into the oesophagus, emitting high-frequency sound waves posteriorly to the heart. The examination is performed by the cardiologist and an experienced nurse from our laboratory.

Stress Echo (Dynamic Echocardiography)

Stress echocardiography is a specialised technique used for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease and the assessment of cardiac function. Compared to the exercise stress test, stress echocardiography offers much higher diagnostic accuracy. According to international guidelines, it is now the examination method of preference for patients with cardiovascular risk factors (such as diabetes, hypertension, family history, etc.) or patients with known coronary artery disease (balloon dilatation-stent, bypass, prior myocardial infarction). It is also suitable for patients who are unable to walk on a treadmill or have indications in electrocardiography at rest. The examination is performed by the cardiologist and an experienced nurse from our laboratory.

Stress Test

The exercise stress test is a non-invasive procedure used routinely in the diagnosis and monitoring of coronary artery disease and monitoring after a cardiac event, such as a myocardial infarction and postoperatively after percutaneous intervention (angioplasty), or after aortocoronary bypass surgery. It also contributes, among others, in the assessment of patients with heart failure, arrhythmias, and in pre-athletic screening. The examination is conducted on a treadmill, where the patient undergoes physical exercise while continuously monitored in real-time during and after the test by electrocardiography and blood pressure measurements.

Tilt Test

Tilt tests are offered exclusively from our Clinic, being the only healthcare provider that implemented the specific examination. The tilt test is indicated for investigating the cause of sudden and unexplained fainting when experienced by patients. The purpose of the test is to reproduce the conditions of fainting (syncope), and upon successful induction of the symptoms the test indication is considered positive. The test is conducted in a specialised space on a tilting table, under the supervision of a nurse and a cardiologist.

24-hour – 48-hour Cardiac Rhythm or Blood Pressure Monitoring (Holter Monitoring)

This involves the recording of cardiac rhythm or blood pressure for 24-48 hours using a small device that is externally attached (painless and non-invasive) to the patient’s body. The patient carries on with their daily activities, returning after 24-48 hours to provide the recordings to be studied by the specialist physician.

CLINICS

Cardiac Disease Clinics – Coronary Artery Disease – Arrhythmias

Evaluation, periodic monitoring, regulation of medication regimen, and planning for further management for patients with chronic heart disease. The above are offered in the context of regular appointments at the outpatient cardiology clinics.

Heart Failure Clinic

Monitoring, assessment, regulation of medication regimen, and application of modern therapeutic methods for patients with chronic heart failure in regular appointments.

Preventive Cardiology Clinic

The physician dedicates the necessary time and focuses on the individual’s needs. Emphasis is placed on the prevention of heart disease by addressing the associated risk factors, as well as the care and monitoring of patients with known heart disease. Chronically ill patients or individuals at high risk for cardiovascular disease are regularly monitored with scheduled follow-up appointments. Special weight is given on establishing effective communication avenues with the patients in order to address their concerns and questions.

Pacemaker Checks

Regular device checks are necessary for patients who have received a permanent pacemaker or defibrillator (ICD) implant. These checks include assessing device operation parameters, battery life, etc. The check is performed using a special programming interfacing device that allows for comprehensive telemetry-based assessment of the pacemaker. By placing a special probe on the skin over the implant, precise information about the pacemaker, such as battery level and cable status, is obtained. Additionally, the parameters of the pacemaker’s operation, such as the basal frequency and physical characteristics of the electrical stimulus, can be adjusted and parameterized in a personalised manner, tailored to the individual’s needs.

OUR FUTURE PRIORITIES AND GOALS

Following the recruitment of new cardiologists to our clinic, our immediate priorities include the establishment of additional specialised clinics, such as:

Cardio-Oncology Clinic

Sports Cardiology Clinic

Clinic for Chronic Heart Diseases in Mobile Population

Our primary goal is to maintain a high level of scientific expertise in terms of personnel and technological means, in order to continuously improve the healthcare services we provide. We aim to develop a modern and state-of-the-art Cardiology Department, adequately staffed and equipped, to ensure the advancement of our scientific work and continuous improvement of cardiac care for our community.

In conclusion, our endeavour is to create a reference Cardiology Department for a populous and touristic city like Larnaca, offering high-level specialised interventions and services.