About Us
Harefield Hospital & Our Echocardiography Department
Harefield Hospital, part of Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, is globally recognized as one of the largest and most experienced specialist heart and lung centres in the UK and Europe. Located in a tranquil setting near Uxbridge, Harefield has a rich history of pioneering breakthroughs in cardiac and respiratory care, including Europe's first successful combined heart and lung transplant. It's home to a dedicated Heart Attack Centre and is renowned for treating complex patient cases, including those requiring ventricular assist devices and advanced interventional cardiology procedures.
The Echocardiography Department at Harefield Hospital holds national and international recognition for its excellent standards of clinical practice. It has been awarded advanced European accreditation by the European Association of Echocardiography.
Our department specialises in the diagnosis of complex adult cardiac pathologies, including:
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Heart valve disease including infective endocarditis.
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Acute coronary syndrome
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Complex heart and lung surgery
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Heart and lung transplantation
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Long-term monitoring of patients with heart failure
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Cardiac assist device
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We perform a wide variety of routine and highly specialist echo tests, including:
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Transthoracic echocardiography (with and without contrast) in patients with complex cardiac diseases including mechanical support devices (VAD, Impella, ECMO)
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Diagnostic, intraoperative and interventional Transoesophageal echocardiography with use of live 3D imaging
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Stress echocardiography
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Transcranial Doppler
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Dyssynchrony studies and optimization of complex devices (VAD, CRT, ECMO weaning, etc)
Get to Know Us
Our scanning fleet is continuously renewed to cutting edge latest versions of echo machines. The reporting system allows off-line analysis and measurements including 3D image processing. We utilise ergonomic left-sided scanning to reduce occupational strain to spine and joints. Our patients feedback consistently highlights the kind, caring, and supportive relationships built with staff and the involvement of patients in their care. There's a strong emphasis on multidisciplinary team (MDT) work including input to in-patient ward rounds, heart team meetings and research. Our commitment to innovation and high-quality patient care makes Harefield Hospital an exceptional environment for advanced cardiovascular training.
Stress Echo Lab
Since 2012 our dedicated Stress Echo Lab led by enthusiastic Sonographer has been at the forefront of performing high-quality stress echo using Hybrid Protocol. We meticulously assess a wide range of complex cardiac pathologies, utilizing varied and comprehensive protocols tailored to individual patient needs.
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Our extensive and rich database reflects our broad expertise, encompassing patients with:
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Ischemic Heart Disease: Providing crucial insights into myocardial function under stress.
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Diverse Valve Pathologies: Evaluating valvular function and hemodynamics during exertion.
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Respiratory Assessment for PHT and Post-COVID Conditions: Offering vital diagnostics for cardiorespiratory interactions and long-term recovery.
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Cardiomyopathies: Characterizing myocardial mechanics and dynamic changes.
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Transplant Patients: Meticulously monitoring cardiac allograft function and complications.
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Each year, we perform approximately 600 stress echoes, contributing significantly to patient diagnosis, risk stratification, and treatment. We pride ourselves on continuous innovation, having developed our own unique hybrid stress echo protocol which is tailored to plethora of cardiac conditions to get best out of one appointment for functional imaging. This cutting-edge approach integrates the best elements of various methodologies to deliver exceptionally precise and comprehensive diagnostic information, ensuring optimal patient outcomes. All Stress Echo Fellows who worked in the department have made successful career in cardiology in senior positions.
Research, audit and quality improvement.
The work of our Echocardiography Department is built on a philosophy of clinical excellence, continuous learning, and pioneering innovation. We are dedicated to remaining at the forefront of cardiovascular imaging - a commitment that shapes our patient care, our research, and the high-quality education we provide.
Our team is committed to lifelong professional development. We actively stay abreast of the latest evidence-based practices by adopting new guidelines and embracing advancements in technology. This culture of continuous learning is embedded in our routine practice: we teach by the bedside and discuss complex cases at the weekly departmental teaching sessions. Furthermore, we encourage our team to attend and present at the national and international conferences and courses, ensuring the knowledge we pass on to you is current, relevant, and world-class.
Research is integral to our identity. Our highly motivated team, comprising of dedicated consultant cardiologists, specialist registrars, clinical fellows, and expert cardiac physiologists, is constantly pushing the boundaries of echocardiography. We have a proud history of developing innovative projects and have presented our compelling research and interesting cases at major cardiology congresses.
A testament to our innovative spirit is our unique hybrid stress echocardiography protocol. Developed through years of dedicated work and extensive experience, this protocol has been successfully published in a peer-reviewed journal, marking a significant contribution to the field.
Quality assurance is the cornerstone of our clinical practice. We have implemented numerous quality improvement projects and conduct regular audits of our service. This meticulous approach ensures that our department not only meets but consistently exceeds the highest standards of diagnostic accuracy and patient care.
Meet the Team
Here is our organising team committee team of Stress Echocardiography at Harefield Hospital
