Addis Cardiac  Hospital is delighted to announce that 50% price reduction is made to percutaneous mitral balloon valvotomy procedure, so as to increase it’s reachability to all patients in need of this procedure.

ACH has a comprehensive general and cardiac check up programs providing to the general population and specific groups like professional/amateur athletes and football players.
All check ups and screenings are completed in one day.
ACH had a privilege of screening football players of Ethiopia Buna the most famous football club in Ethiopia. Applying the scientific guidelines for athletes and football players, which is a rigorous screening test, all Ethiopia Buna players were certified to participate on African Confederation Cup.

Medical Screening for football players
There are some details of the medical screening that is performed for international football players. This medical screening is very comprehensive, and is divided into the following components:
A. HISTORY
Personal Football History – details of playing position, dominant leg and number of games played in previous year.Medical History
Family history is medical condition. Player medical history. Current complaints and symptoms.Current medication and vaccination

B. MEDICAL EXAMNATIONS
General Medical Exam – a routine physical examination conducted by the doctor, such as blood pressure, heart and chest sounds, reflexes.
Special Cardiological Examination – Resting 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG), Stress (exercise) ECG and Trans-Thoracic Echocardiography (TTE), (if indicated conducted during exercise.)

Laboratory Examination – a blood count and urine test is mandatory, with a range of other tests recommended.
Orthopedic Examination and Functional Tests – there are mandatory inspection and functional examination tests of the spinal column, shoulder, hip, knee, lower leg, ankle and foot. Other tests that are recommended are range of motion tests, muscle balance and muscle strength (one-leg hop).
Radiological Examination and Ultrasound Scan – if required based on the above examinations.

What are cardiac pacemakers?

Pacemakers are devices used for the treatment of some types of heart beat (cardiac rhythm) abnormalities.

Historic Back Ground

The 1^st case of human cardiac pacing was performed by and Australian anesthesiologist, Marck C Lidwalell in 1929. In Ethiopia it has not been a decade since permanent cardiac pacemaker implantation was started and currently Addis cardiac hospital gives such treatment (pacemaker, ICD and CRT) by experienced cardiologist.

Components of pacemaker device.

1. Generator; source of energy for the pacemaker
2. Pacemaker Leads: special wires which connect the generator with the heart

Types of pacemakers.

1. Single chamber: lead implanted into only one cardiac chamber
2. Double chamber; leads implanted into two cardiac chambers

Uses of pacemaker.

Pacemakers are used for the treatment of heart beat (heart rhythm) abnormalities such as very slow heart rate causing weakness, shortness of breath loss of consciousness etc.

How are pacemakers implanted?

Pacemakers are implanted in an a wake patient by using local anesthetic and making small incision in the upper anterior chest followed by advancing leads (Special wires) through veins with the help of X-Ray Machine and placing the battery (generator) under the tissue below the skin.

What are the risks of pacemaker implantation?

In skilled hands, the majority of pacemakers (95%) are implanted without any complication

Possible complications in the remaining patients include:-

1. The lead or the wire may detach from the heart (1 in 25 people).
2. Bleeding into generator insertion site (1 in 30 people)
3. Infection of pacemaker insertion site (1 in 100 people).
4. Injury to the lung which may require tube insertion in to the chest.

Rarely (1 in 1,000 people), puncture of the heart (Tamponade) may occur and may need removal or at times it could even be fatal

Care and precautions to be taken by the patient who has pacemaker

• The patient is advised to consult the physician if he has pain, swelling or bleeding at the pacemaker insertion site.
• For two weeks after implantation, avoid driving and overuse of the arm on the side of the generator
• Regular follow-up on appointment days or if there are new symptoms
• Depending on how much the patient is pacemaker dependent, generator change may be required after 5-10 years of implantation
• Since some investigations like MRI and some surgical instruments may interfere with the function of pacemaker, the patient should consult the doctor or cardiologist before undergoing such investigations or procedures
• Carry pacemaker identification card
• Pass through security instruments or metal detectors at a faster pace and avoid standing near such instruments for long time
• Avoid keeping activated phones on the same side of pacemaker generator and use the opposite ear when using the phone.

Implantable cardioverte defibrillator (ICD)

An ICD is an implantable device similar to pacemakers used for the detection and treatment of serious and rapid heart beat abnormalities which could be life threatening if not reverted to normal

An ICD revert such dangerous heart beat (heart rhythm) abnormalities by discharging electric shock.

It is commonly implanted for patients who are at high risk of sudden cardiac death such as patients who have survived cardiac arrest and some patients with serious underlying hear disease

A patient with and ICD should avoid driving at least for the first 6 months.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT)

It is a type of pacemaker used for the treatment of selected patients  with medically refractory heart failure