Other Diagnostic Services

• It is a medical test that records the electrical activity of the heart over a period. It is a simple noninvasive procedure that is commonly used to access the heart function and detect various cardiac conditions.
• Purpose – To diagnose heart condition and abnormalities.
• ECG identifying abnormal heart rhythms, such as Atrial fibrillation or Ventricular tachycardia.
• It detects heart attacks and ischemia [ Reduced blood flow].
• It assesses the effectiveness of heart disease treatment and monitoring the heart status in patients with existing condition.
• It is also a part of routine evaluation before surgery to ensure heart stability.
• GAIMS doing two types of ECG, namely Resting & Stress.
• In gaims ECG interpretation done by professional and after that treatment is advised.
• ECG can only detect heart problems present at the time of the test. Some issues may not be evident unless they occur frequently or under certain conditions.
• ECG is a vital tool in the field of healthcare, offering a quick and effective way to assess heart health and detect potential problems early.

• TMT stands for Treadmill Test, also known as a Treadmill Stress Test or Exercise Stress Test. It is a diagnostic procedure used to evaluate the heart's response to physical stress or exercise.
• The TMT is a valuable tool in diagnosing and managing heart conditions, providing insights into the heart's performance under stress and helping guide treatment decisions.
• GAIMS Provide the TMT facility in Newly developed Health Care Unit.

Purpose:

• To assess how well the heart functions during physical activity.
• To detect coronary artery disease or other conditions that may not be apparent when the heart is at rest.
• To evaluate symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, or dizziness during exertion.
• To determine the effectiveness of treatments for heart conditions.

How It Works:

• Preparation: The patient is connected to an ECG machine via electrodes placed on the chest, arms, and legs to monitor the heart's electrical activity.
• Exercise Protocol: The patient walks on a treadmill. The speed and incline of the treadmill gradually increase, making the exercise progressively harder.
• Monitoring: Throughout the test, the patient's heart rate, blood pressure, ECG, and symptoms are continuously monitored.

Stages of TMT:

• Baseline Resting Stage: The patient's heart rate, blood pressure, and ECG are recorded while they are at rest.
• Exercise Stage: The patient begins exercising. The intensity increases in stages, typically every 3 minutes, until a target heart rate is reached, or symptoms develop.
• Recovery Stage: After reaching the maximum exercise level, the patient stops exercising, and their heart rate and other parameters are monitored as they recover.

Indications for TMT:

• Suspected coronary artery disease.
• Unexplained chest pain.
• Evaluation of exercise tolerance in patients with known heart disease.
• Risk assessment before major surgeries.

Risks and Considerations:

• The test is generally safe, but there is a small risk of complications, such as abnormal heart rhythms, chest pain, or, in rare cases, a heart attack. It is typically performed in a controlled environment with medical personnel available to manage any emergencies.

Limitations:

• TMT may not detect all forms of heart disease, particularly in patients who cannot exercise to a sufficient level due to physical limitations.
• False positives or negatives can occur, necessitating further testing like an echocardiogram or coronary angiography for a more accurate diagnosis.

• 2D echocardiogram, often simply called a 2D echo, is a type of ultrasound test that uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of the heart. This non-invasive procedure allows doctors to observe the heart's structure and function in real-time.
• A 2D echocardiogram (2D echo) is a medical imaging technique used to visualize the heart. It is a non-invasive procedure.
• The procedure is safe, painless, and typically takes 30 to 60 minutes. It's an essential tool in healthcare for diagnosing and managing heart disease.
• A 2D echo is commonly used to diagnose or monitor various heart conditions.
• GAIMS Provide the 2D Echo facility in Newly developed Health Care Unit.

What It Can Show

• Heart Size and Shape: The 2D echo can reveal abnormalities in the size and shape of the heart.
• Heart Function: It provides information about the heart's pumping efficiency and the function of the heart valves.
• Wall Motion: The test can detect issues with the movement of the heart's walls, which can indicate damage or disease.
• Blood Flow: It can assess the direction and speed of blood flow through the heart's chambers and valves.

Audiology Services Available at ENT Department in GAIMS

OAE (Otoacoustic Emission)

• This is a screening test of hearing for newborns. All children born at our hospital are screened at birth for any hearing impairment so that early intervention, if required, can be done. It is a non-invasive objective test.

BERA (Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry)

• This is a highly sensitive and specific test to detect hearing loss. It is also a suitable test to know the site of lesion in auditory pathway.

PTA (Pure Tone Audiometry)

• It is the most common audiological test performed. It is used to identify the type and severity of hearing loss. It is done in all patients with ear pathology who are to be operated.

Impedance Audiometry

• This test is done to know any pathology of middle ear.

Description:

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a medical procedure used primarily to treat severe depression and other mental illnesses. It involves passing carefully controlled electrical currents through the brain, which intentionally triggers a brief seizure. This seizure is believed to cause changes in brain chemistry that can quickly reverse symptoms of certain mental illnesses.

Disbelief about ECT:

There are several myths and misconceptions about ECT, such as it being a form of punishment or causing permanent brain damage. However, modern ECT is administered under anesthesia and muscle relaxants to minimize discomfort and risks.

Indications for ECT:

ECT is typically recommended for severe depression that has not responded to other treatments as well as for certain other mental illnesses including:

• Severe bipolar disorder
• Schizophrenia with severe symptoms
• Catatonia (a state of unresponsiveness)
• Occasionally, severe agitation or aggression in conditions like dementia

Precautions for ECT:

• Comprehensive medical evaluation to assess overall health and suitability
• Evaluation by a psychiatrist to confirm diagnosis and treatment necessity
• Discussion of potential risks and benefits with the patient (or their legal guardian)

Courses of ECT:

• ECT is usually administered in a series of treatments, typically ranging from 6 to 12 sessions. These are typically given 2-3 times per week. The exact number of sessions depends on individual response and symptom improvement.

Advantages of ECT:

• Rapid relief of severe depression or other symptoms compared to other treatments
• Effectiveness when other treatments have failed
• Generally well-tolerated under modern protocols

Disadvantages of ECT:

• Short-term memory loss and confusion immediately after treatment (often temporary)
• Potential for longer-term memory and cognitive effects, although these are typically less common with modern techniques
• Anesthesia-related risks and other potential side effects

Contraindications of ECT:

• Recent heart attack or severe heart disease
• Uncontrolled high blood pressure
• Intracranial mass or lesion
• Recent stroke
• Conditions where increased intracranial pressure is a concern

• EEG stands for electroencephalography, a technique used to record electrical activity in the brain.
• This is done by placing electrodes on the scalp, which detect electrical signals produced by brain cells (neurons).
• EEG is commonly used in clinical settings to diagnose and monitor conditions like epilepsy, sleep disorders, and brain injuries.
• It's also utilized in research to study brain function and cognitive processes.
• The resulting data, often in the form of wave patterns, provide insights into brain states, such as alertness, relaxation, and various sleep stages.
• This facility available in GAIMS in OPD Basement [Room no-54] done by EEG technician in presence of Psychiatry department doctor.

Pulmonary function Test: PFTs are non- invasive tests. It is used for measuring lung volumes and capacities. It provides insight to lung health. It helps in diagnosing subtle abnormalities of lung before it become evident. It helps in diagnosis and prognosis of various breathing related conditions like Asthma, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), ILD (Interstitial Lung Disease) etc.

In this test, one has to inhale fully and exhale forcibly with full capacities for getting result hence determines how well you’re able to breathe and how effectively your lungs send oxygen to the rest of your body.