Our group practice offers the full spectrum of diagnostics and therapy for cardiovascular diseases as well as routine check-ups. We have five modern heart-and-vessel ultrasound units at our disposal, various ECGs (rest-, exercise-stress and long-term ECGs, digital X- rays), and much more. Our new MRI equipment has been in operation since 2004. Magnetic resonance images of the heart have many advantages over earlier standard exam methods, namely: • it is an exam that has no effect on the human body. There are no radio waves emitted (as in X-rays), but rather magnetic fields - thus there is no exposure to radiation. • the images provided in MR are in very sharp focus, enabling the physician to observe the heart much closer and more accurately than is possible via cardiac ultrasound. Moreover, MR enables physicians to acquire valuable information about the heart's metabolism (how the heart muscle uses energy, reflecting its "vitality"). The doctors can tell which parts of the heart are healthy and functioning normally, and see any parts containing damaged or scarred tissue (i.e., after a heart attack), even after a "silent myocardial infarction" (a heart attack the patient does not notice). MR also provides feedback on the heart's circulation and perfusion, and on any areas suffering from ischaemia (oxygen deprivation). Since 2007 we have benefited from a further new diagnostic tool, namely spiral computer tomography (spiral CT) in cooperation with Martha-Maria Hospital. This method allows us to precisely determine the degree of plaque formation in the coronary arteries, and to compare those findings with age- and gender- specific norms. This information helps us make a reasonably accurate prognosis of a patient’s risk of myocardial infarction. Under the right conditions (i.e., a regular heartbeat, a pulse under 65/min, atherosclerosis that is not too advanced), we can also visualise the coronary arteries using contrast medium, thereby determining which if any vessels are stenotic (partially or completely occluded or blocked by plaque). For this exam, please contact our practice.

We conduct heart catheter examinations (Prof. Dr. Jeserich, Dr. Kestler, Dr. Röther), cardioversion (Dr. Kestler, Dr. Röther) and Pacemaker implantations (Dr. Röther) in the Dr. Steger Clinic, Nuremberg. If you have been diagnosed with heart and/or vascular disease, or should you wish to learn more about your risk of cardiovascular disease, our team of specialists and consultants is at your service. We make every effort to ensure that diagnostic reports, findings, and therapy recommendations are forwarded to the referring physician (by fax within 24 hours, by mail within 2 days) as quickly as possible so as to inform the patient and his or her doctor and allow ample time for discussion. We kindly remind our public health plan patients (Kassenpatienten) to bring a referral note (Überweisung) along when ey come for an appointment. Dr. Röther carries out vascular exams in our affiliated practice at Schickenhof 6, Sebalder Hoefen. Any condition concerning varicose veins, thrombus, swollen legs or ankles, or circulatory problems in the legs, arms or jugular vein can be handled. We can also carry out check-ups and follow-up exams, see whether you suffer from plaque formation (and if so, how advanced the plaque is), and whether you carry an increased risk of stroke, and many other issues. Patients with lymph oedema (swelling) are treated as well in our practice. Special lymph drainage therapy can be performed. Patients with lymph oedema (swelling) are treated as well in our practice. Special lymph drainage therapy is possible. The modern technology of ergospirometry allows us to discover what is causing shortness of breath. This diagnostic tool is also useful for athletes who wish to determine their athletic potential (fitness level), or for check-ups. We also offer a special training programme whereby the body's ability to burn fat is analysed. Arterial stiffness occurs as a consquence of age and arteriosclerosis. The Puls Wave Analysis (PWA) is done during the blood pressure measurment and takes about 5 minutes. The report shows the age of your blood vessels.

New 3D cardiac ultrasound unit with various diagnostic capacities including colour-tissue Doppler, heart-volume measurements, 3D-representation of the heart in real time. Click on the picture to enlarge the image.

The early diagnosis of coronary plaque (arrow) can potentially trigger a heart attack (click to enlarge).

With this method, your coronary arteries (arrow) are visualised non-invasively, that is, without a catheter, thus revealing stenosis (blockages) early (click to enlarge).

With this method, (arrow), bypasses can be examined (click to enlarge).

Ergospirometric assessment

Since 2007 we have had at our disposal a modern cardiac ultrasound unit with three- dimensional imaging capacity in certain cases (see image below).

Puls Wave Analysis (PWA)