Cardiology

Clinique La Prairie is equipped to practice all non-invasive cardiology exams. Because the heart is the key organ, the motor of our life, it is essential that it be examined during checkups.

An examination begins with a consultation with a cardiology specialist, during which a basic 12-lead electrocardiogram is performed.

In the event of a heart illness being suspected, the consultation is followed by a cardiac stress test.

This test measures the body's response to effort, the response of the heart’s frequency, and highlights poorly identified hypertension or possible arrhythmias. The stress test also allows an initial estimation of the condition of the coronary arteries.

Depending on the results of this initial test, and based on the recommendations of the patient's clinic, additional tests may be scheduled, to be performed at Clinique La Prairie. 

One of these is transthoracic echocardiography, which makes it possible to:

• examine the heart’s morphological appearance
• check that the various chambers function properly
• precisely evaluate the state of the four heart valves

Depending on the results of the ultrasound and the stress test, an additional exam may also be performed. A heart MRI including a stress test would be recommended

This test allows us to see the heart and is considered the best tool for ruling out significant myocardial ischemia. It also allows us to view the heart’s chambers and valves, using a process that is radiation free.

Should we need to view the coronary arteries, we can also perform amultislice cardiac CT scan. In the vast majority of cases, this is equivalent to a diagnosis through coronary angiogram. 

If, at the first consultation, the electrocardiogram and the stress test lead the specialist to diagnose an arrhythmia, additional tests, including a 24-hour Holter recording can be conducted, once again at Clinique La Prairie.

The specialist responsible for your consultation at Clinique La Prairie is also a consulting physician at the Geneva University Hospital (HUG) and authorized to practice at Clinique Cecil of the Hirslanden group in Lausanne.

Following this initial non-invasive examination, and in direct collaboration with specialists from HUG and Clinique Cecil, your specialist at Clinique La Prairie initatiates and monitors the undertaking of invasive tests, such as a coronary angiogram, angioplasty or the insertion of stents.

Similarly, if heart rhythm examinations lead us to recommend the insertion of a pacemaker or defibrillator, this surgery will be conducted at Clinique Cecil or at Geneva University Hospital, in direct collaboration with the specialist at Clinique La Prairie.