The Leicester Cardiovascular BRU will lead on groundbreaking new research that will have a direct impact upon patient care in a very short time frame from testing in a laboratory to changes in clinical practice. The improvements will be in areas such as:

• more accurate risk stratification
• genetic profiling for coronary artery disease
• delivering new more accurate tests
• investigations which will enhance doctors' decision making at the bedside
• markers, indictors and tests for disease prognosis

By agreeing to join with us in the work of the BRU you will be paving the way to improving care for patients with coronary artery and cardio-vascular disease.

You will also be seen and cared for in a state-of-the-art research outpatients facility where all the tests and investigations use the very latest cutting-edge technology for your comfort and convenience.

What will happen when I arrive?

You will enter the BRU Translational Medicine Facility (TMF) via the main corridor of the hospital into a bright waiting area where our receptionist will greet you and confirm with you the details of your appointment.

For your security the remainder of the TMF facility is swipe-card access only and therefore you will be escorted by a member of the BRU Team at all times around the building. 

One of our friendly and helpful Health Care Assistants will come and collect you and take you to one of the following:

Consulting Room

Here, one of our knowledgeable doctors, nurses or scientists will ask a number of questions relating to the current condition they are investigating to get a better understanding from you of how the condition affects you.

The doctor, nurse or scientist may ask to perform a physical examination; the type of examination will have been made clear to you in writing before you attend your appointment with us. Occasionally the BRU staff may wish to use additional scientific equipment; again the specifics of this will have been detailed to you in your appointment letter. If you are unsure and wish to discuss this please refer to the contact details on your letter, or contact the BRU reception on 0116 258 3385.

Echocardiography Suite

This is a purpose-built room with air-conditioning and complete privacy for you. Here, one of our physiologists will produce a scan of either your heart or your blood vessels using the very latest ultrasound scanning technology. The scan can take up to one hour to complete depending upon the level of detail the researchers require.

Exercise Suite

This is a light and airy suite which is fully air-conditioned and which allows the research staff to monitor your heart as you participate in exercise on either an exercise bike or a treadmill.

Day Case Suite

The purpose built Day Case Facility is located at the entrance to Ward 32 on level 1. This is an area dedicated to your comfort and convenience that allows our research staff to perform more complex or lengthy investigations without the distractions of a busy research outpatient clinic. The additional space within the day care facility allows the researchers to bring larger or bulky equipment to the bed space with ease.

At the end of your visit

• We will ensure that you can find your way to main entrance, with the support of BRU staff
• We will ensure that all the follow-up arrangements have been made and confirmed with you to your satisfaction

If you need more information, please do not hesitate to speak to the friendly BRU staff, or call the BRU on 0116 258 3385 or e-mail us at lcbru@le.ac.uk