Cardiac tests and procedures

We run a range of specialty clinics, tests and procedures to either diagnose or check up on a patient's heart and related health. 

 We treat newborns, infants, children, adolescents and unborn children. Here is some information about some of our tests and procedures.

Cardiac catheterisation

Cardiac catheterisation is a test used to obtain detailed information about the heart. Often this information cannot be gathered by other tests, such as echocardiography. 

On admission to the hospital ward, your child will be examined by the resident doctor, the cardiology fellow (who will perform part of the procedure with the cardiologist), the anaesthetist, and a nurse. 

The test usually takes one and a half to two hours and is done in the cardiac catheter laboratory, which is in the Medical Imaging department.

You can accompany your child to the anaesthetic room of the Catheter Unit and wait until they are asleep. You will then be asked to wait either near the cardiac catheter laboratory or the waiting room of the Recovery Ward, where your child will return for close observation for about one hour after the test before going back to the ward.

Ambulatory Blood Pressure (ABP) monitoring

Ambulatory Blood Pressure (ABP) monitoring is a portable test that documents blood pressure over a given period (usually 24 hours), while patients undergo normal daily activities, including sleep. Blood pressure readings may then be correlated with daily activities and symptoms. 

For Medicare card holders the hospital will bulk bill (please remember to bring your Medicare card).

Results of the test and a report will be forwarded to your referring doctor. If you have further questions, please speak to your referring doctor or telephone (02) 7825 2345.

Echocardiogram

An echocardiogram (also called a cardiac ultrasound or 'echo') uses sound waves to show how blood flows through the heart and how the heart is working. 

This provides information about  the structure and function of the heart. The echocardiogram plays an important role in examining heart conditions and ruling out abnormalities in children. 

An echocardiogram is completely painless. The images will be processed on a video screen with sound or colour to assess blood flow circulation. 

Fetal echocardiogram

A fetal echocardiogram (also called a fetal echo) uses sound waves to create pictures of an unborn baby's heart. 

From 16-18 weeks, doctors can find the baby's heart rate and rhythm and establish the presence of heart abnormailties.  

A fetal echocardiogram is performed like a regular pregnancy ultrasound.

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

The Electrocardiogram (ECG) is a recording of electrical activity of the heart. The ECG provides important information on the heart rhythm and how the electrical signals spread through the heart. 

The ECG tells us how fast and how regular the heart is beating. Any rhythm abnormalities occurring at the time of the ECG will be detected. Depending on the arrhythmia, a treatment may be recommended.

The ECG is bulk billed for Medicare card holders. Please bring your Medicare card to all medical appointments. Overseas patients will need to pay for the service at the hospital cashier before the ECG is performed.

Event monitoring

The event monitor is a portable device that records the heart's electrical activity (ECG).

The aim of event monitoring is to document and describe abnormal electrical behaviour in the heart. Event monitoring is useful where symptoms occur irregularly and may not have appeared on other diagnostic tests. 

When the patient feels a symptom, a simple press of the record button stores and records the ECG surrounding the symptoms or event. The patient must write the date, time, activity and symptoms in the diary provided.

For Medicare card holders the hospital will bulk bill (please remember to bring your Medicare card). No additional payment is required.

Exercise testing

An exercise test assesses how well the heart handles physical activity by monitoring the heart鈥檚 overall response during exercise. 

Testing consists of walking or running on a treadmill. The speed and gradient of the treadmill will be increased every three minutes.

The test is stopped if and when symptoms develop such as fatigue, breathlessness, tired legs, chest pain or other symptoms. 

  • you are required to arrive 15 minutes before your appointment time
  • if you arrive late to the appointment you will need to wait until the end of the other scheduled appointments before you will be seen (approximately 4 hours)
  • only one family member is allowed to attend the appointment 
  • shower facilities are provided, but please bring your own toiletries
  • no photos are allowed to be taken during the test
  • bring your Medicare card so the hospital can bulk-bill you for the test
  • Go to Exercise testing factsheet

Holter monitoring

A Holter monitor is worn around the waist and records the heart's electrical activity for 24- 48 hours. 

This test is painless and is taken during normal daily activity. It helps determine heart rhythm disturbance (arrhythmia), which would not necessarily be detected by a standard ECG. It can be used for infants, children or adults.

Remember to keep a diary of your activities during the recording period. Your physician/technician will give the diary to you.

Returning the device

  • Return the device and diary to the cardiac department at The Children's Hospital at Westmead (Level 3), Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm
  • After hours, it can be returned to Edgar Stephen Ward on level three, or it may be returned in a prepaid courier bag which can be purchased from reception.

The cost of any damage caused to the monitor will have to be reimbursed in full.

For Medicare card holders the hospital will bulk bill (please remember to bring your Medicare card).