A cardiac catheterization laboratory, also known as a “cardiac cath lab,” is a special hospital room where doctors perform minimally invasive tests and procedures to diagnose and treat cardiovascular disease. The procedures performed in a cardiac cath lab almost always involve tiny, flexible tubes, called catheters, which can be used instead of surgery, to access the heart and blood vessels. A cath lab has special imaging equipment used to see the arteries and check how well blood is flowing to and from the heart. This information helps the care team to diagnose and treat blockages and other problems in the arteries.
A cath lab is where tests and procedures including ablation, angiogram, angioplasty and implantation of pacemakers / ICDs are carried out. Usually a patient will be awake for these procedures. A cath lab shouldn't be confused with an operating theatre, where surgery such as a heart bypass operation, under a general anaesthetic takes place.
Interventional cardiologists are heart doctors who specialize in treating cardiovascular disease and who have had one to two years of education and training specifically in the use of catheters to perform cardiovascular procedures. For many patients, these minimally invasive interventional procedures are an appropriate alternative to surgery.
Cath lab nurses and technologists are also important members of the care team during interventional procedures in the cath lab. These nurses are closely involved in care from the time a patient arrives for a procedure, while technologists assist the interventional cardiologist with the procedure. Together, the cath lab nurses and technologists monitor the patients condition to identify changes that may need immediate attention, watch the cath lab monitors that display heart rhythm and rate; and notify the physician if they observe changes.
First Cardiology Consultants has an operational and fully functional Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory. The Cath Lab is equipped with modern technology and offers a full spectrum of services ranging from diagnosis to treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
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