Echocardiogram
An ultrasound scan of the heart. What it can and cannot show, what happens during the test and how the findings are used.
Tests and procedures
Understanding
what happens next.
Investigations are chosen to answer a specific question, not to build a collection of results. These pages explain what each test or procedure involves and how the findings are used.
Coronary angiography and stents
How the coronary arteries are imaged, what a stent does, what it can achieve and what it cannot, and what recovery involves.
TAVI
A new aortic valve delivered through a blood vessel rather than by open surgery. Who it may suit, what it involves and what recovery looks like.
TEER
A catheter-based repair for mitral or tricuspid regurgitation, using a clip to reduce leakage without open-heart surgery.
PFO closure
A patent foramen ovale is a small flap between the upper chambers of the heart. When closing it may reduce the risk of further stroke.
Procedures Dr Martins performs
- Coronary angiography and stent implantation: minimally invasive assessment and treatment of coronary artery disease, including angioplasty and stent implantation for chest pain (angina) and heart attack.
- Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI): keyhole replacement of a narrowed aortic valve (aortic stenosis) without the need for open-heart surgery.
- Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair (TEER): keyhole treatment of leaking mitral or tricuspid valves using catheter-based repair techniques.
- Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) closure: catheter-based closure of a patent foramen ovale for selected patients with cryptogenic stroke.
Non-invasive investigations
Most cardiology questions are answered without any procedure at all. Non-invasive investigations are arranged at Nuffield Health Brighton Hospital and can include:
- Blood tests
- Electrocardiograms (ECG)
- 24-hour and longer-term heart rhythm monitoring
- Echocardiography
- Cardiac MRI
Each test is arranged because it will answer a specific question, and results are explained together rather than sent through without context.
Where tests and treatment take place
Consultation and procedure are separate steps.
A private consultation can be arranged in Brighton or London. Non-invasive investigations take place at Nuffield Health Brighton Hospital; coronary and structural interventions requiring specialist facilities are carried out at Royal Sussex County Hospital, where Dr Martins works as part of the NHS cardiology team. Where each one takes place is confirmed with you before anything is booked.
Consultation
History, examination and a discussion of what, if anything, needs to be investigated.
Investigation
Tests such as an ECG, ambulatory monitoring or an echocardiogram, arranged when they will change the plan.
Discussion of options
Findings explained in plain language, with the benefits, limits and alternatives of each option.
Treatment and follow-up
Where a procedure is appropriate, the pathway, the team involved and the follow-up plan are agreed in advance.