Call us: +357-26-939500 | +357-99-632363 | Email | Facebook | Paphos, Cyprus

Dr. Petros Mavrommatis, MD, FESC

CARDIAC CARE CENTRE

ABOUT

Our mission is to prevent, diagnose and treat heart diseases. We use the latest non-invasive techniques to precisely image, monitor and diagnose adult and child cardiopathies.

We provide expert diagnosis and treatment (or referral for intervetional / surgical treatment) for all heart diseases, including

coronary artery disease (angina, heart attack, etc)
chronic and accute arrhythmias
vulvular diseases (congenital, rheumatic, age-related)
myocardiac and pericardiac diseases
hypertension
pediatric cardiology (investigation of murmurs)
pre-athletic evaluation (adults and children)
pre-operation cardiac evaluation for major surgeries (orthopedics, general surgery, etc)

Our services are based on 40 years of training and experience in internal medicine and cardiology in Greece, Cyprus, UK and USA. We have pioneered in specific fields of cardiology and echocardiography:

thrombolysis in acute myocardial infarction and pulmonary embolysm (since 1987)
transesophageal echo (since 1993, first in Cyprus)
stress echo (since 1996, first in Cyprus)

After 33 years of serving in public health (Paphos General Hospital since 1984), and founding director of the Cardiology Clinic since 2004, Dr. Petros Mavrommatis continues his service in Cardiac Care Center in Paphos.

Details about our Services and how to Contact us can be found below.

About

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SERVICES

Clinical Examination

Family & Personal history & clinical findings

During the first visit, a comprehensive history of the patient’s past health problems, is recorded, including family history. Detailed investigation of symptoms is important for correct diagnosis. The classic examination (listening of the heart and lungs, palpation, etc.) is the cornerstone for initial assessment, and sometimes no further investigation is needed.

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

12-lead ECG & Monitor Recording

The electrocardiogram (ECG) is the simplest non-invasive test, which provides the doctor with important information about the heart’s function in as little as a few minutes. Along with the ECG report, the patient's history, age and clinical symptoms are taken into consideration for diagnosis. A series of ECGs is sometimes needed. All reports are saved electronically for future references.

Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE)

This highly sophisticated test, also known as “ultrasound of the heart”, has revolutionised dramatically cardiology practice for more than 30 years now. The heart muscle, valves, and great vessels can be imaged in real time, completely non-invasively. Exact diagnoses of numerous diseases (both congenital and acquired) can be readily provided. Importantly, the test is reproducible and repeatable whenever needed, since it does not involve radiation. Moreover, it can be performed since the day of birth. In addition with portable ultrasound machine it can be done bedside as well. All data are collected electronically,shared to the patient and other health professionals(referral doctor). Due to its significance in cardiology practice, echocardiography is now a distinct subspecialty, known as echocardiology.

Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography (DSE)

Cardiac ultrasound while heart is stressed with medicine instead of treadmill

This is another non-invasive technique for the investigation of cardiac patients. By giving intravenously a medicine named dobutamine, the heart rate is increased gradually and the function of the heart is being monitored by ultrasound, ECG and observation of other vital signs (blood pressure, oxygen saturation). It is mainly used for people with coronary artery disease (blocked arteries) and valvulopathies. It is an alternative test to the classic treadmill test. It is also used for people with difficulties in exercising (orthopedic patients, etc). The whole test lasts about one hour and is performed by the cardiologist and an experienced nurse. All precautionary measurements are taken in order to minimize possible side-effects. The patient may resume regular activities immediately after

24-48 hour ECG monitoring

HOLTER monitoring &
Ambulatory ECG recording (ZENICOR ECG)

This technique records the cardiac rhythm for one or two days by applying electrodes on the chest, which are attached to a small device. This way, the patient can return to their regular daily activities. The recorded information is analysed on the computer with special algorithms and gives valuable insight, especially regarding episodes of arrhythmia.

ZENICOR ECG DEVICE ,is well known for recording of paroxysmal episodes of arrhythmias, especially atrial fibrillation. It is already used by doctors in Scandinavian and some other countries in Europe relatively recently. We purchased the first one in Cyprus and we have used it already with over 30 patients. The device, given to the patient for 10-20 days, proved to be useful for recording of atrial fibrillation, especially in seniors. Very recently we gained experience by expanding its utility for therapeutic interventions as well. Pictures are from a patient whom we finally managed to keep in normal cardiac rhythm, by completely changing their medication! This was achieved without the need of the presence of the patient everyday to the office.

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Exercise Stress Test (EST)

Routine treadmill stress test

Using specialised machine (treadmill) and continuous ECG monitoring, we can stress the heart in order to increase heart rate and blood pressure. This kind of stress can provide information for possible underlying coronary artery disease. This is a routine diagnostic test for initial documentation or exclusion and follow-up of cardiac patients. It last about half an hour. Data are saved for future comparison.

Treadmill Stress Echocardiography (TSE)

Echocardiography right after exercise stress test

Within the first one or two minutes after the treadmill stress test is terminated, the patient is rapidly examined using echocardiography, while still in high heart rate. This way, we complement ECG findings with echo findings, such as wall motion abnormalities. Images taken at rest are compared with the stress test images. This is a highly demanding test, requiring high levels of experience from the physician, and contributes to reducing false results, which are possible in exercise ECG tests.

Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE)

As the name of the test suggests, the esophagus is used as “acoustic window” for studying the heart. A special echoscope (similar to a gastroscope) is inserted through the esophagus after local anesthesia of the pharynx or intravenous sedation if needed. Having the echoscope in such a close proximity to the heart, panoramic pictures, detailed images and videos are obtained. Congenital diseases, pathologies of cardiac valves, diseases of the aorta can be quickly and accurately diagnosed with this method. TOE is also useful during interventional treatment of some congenital diseases (such as “hole” in the heart). Additionally, its use is mandatory and extremely helpful during cardiac operations. TOE is a semi-invasive technique, and the patient has to be fasting for 6 hours before and avoid driving for the whole day after the examination. The test is generally safe and is done with the help of an experienced nurse. The data is saved electronically for future comparison and discussion with cardiac surgeons.

Photo from perioperative TOE of a young patient who was being operated for benign heart tumor.

Services

Dr. Mavrommatis

Dr. Petros Mavrommatis, MD, FESC

Consultant Cardiologist

Dr. Petros Mavrommatis, MD, FESC is a leading cardiologist specializing in noninvasive diagnostic techniques. His primary interest is echocardiography (transthoracic, transesophageal, intra-operative and dynamic stress echo). He has accumulated 40 years of training and experience, practicing cardiology for over 30 years and serving as the director of the Cardiology Clinic at Paphos General Hospital since its establishment in 2004 until his retirement in 2016.

He received his formal medical education at the University of Athens, Greece from 1970 to 1976. He was awarded the specialties of internal medicine and cardiology after training for seven years (1977-1983) at various teaching hospitals in Athens. He repatriated to Cyprus after being appointed at the public sector in 1984. In addition to his initial duties in internal medicine, and throughout his long service at Paphos Hospital, he was instrumental in the development and establishment of modern cardiological services.

Dr. Mavrommatis gained short-term fellowships in the United Kingdom (WHO, 1989) and United States (Fulbright, 1995), specializing in all fields of echocardiography. He was the first to introduce transesophageal echo to Cyprus in 1993 and stress echo in 1996, and he has been a pioneer in training more than two dozen cardiologists in these fields. He has contributed to several peer-reviewed journal articles and numerous conference presentations. He is a Fellow of the European Society of Cardiology (FESC).

Click here for Dr. Mavrommatis's short CV.

Dr Mavrommatis