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Cardiac Catheterization & Electrophysiology

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    Specialized tests for the heart and lifesaving procedures are performed in the Cardiac Catheterization Lab and Electrophysiology Lab. These are procedural areas where testing is done on patient's hearts to check for damage to the heart's walls, blockages in the arteries surrounding the heart, or checking the heartbeats to see if they are abnormal. If there are blockages, we can perform a procedure called an Angioplasty where small-specialized balloons can be used to open the blockage inside the arteries. Frequently a Stent may be placed, which leaves inside the artery a mesh metal scaffold-like device which permanently holds opens the area of the artery, which was blocked. Patients with abnormal heartbeats may have testing done to analyze these abnormal beats. If a permanent pacemaker or internal cardiac defibrillator is needed to correct these abnormal heart rhythms, these operations can be performed in the Electrophysiology Lab.

    All of Our Staff are specially trained to assist with all of these cardiac procedures. We use the team approach, so you will always have a RN in the room while the procedure is being performed. We are equipped to care for the sickest of cardiac patients, even those in shock, having a heart attack which is not responding to medications, or needing assistance with breathing, on ventilators. Our Catheterization Lab is open Monday through Friday for scheduled procedures, from 6:30am to 11:00 p.m. Our staffing is staggered to cover the entire day and evening. We have a team available 24 hours a day to handle emergencies for patients requiring immediate treatment. These patients of course take priority over elective scheduled tests. There is also 24 hour backup of Cardiac Surgery available if the need should arise.

    The first several cases of the day are scheduled elective outpatient procedures. These are generally a follow-up recommended by the private medical doctor, as a completion to an abnormal cardiac workup, such as a positive stress test or holter monitor. The referring doctor will book the procedure. Prior to the actual catheterization these patients' insurance will be verified. Several days prior to the cath, a history and physical exam will be done, as well as having an informed consent explained and signed and witnessed. Additionally before the procedure EKG's, chest x-rays and blood work will be done. The admitting department will contact the patient the evening before to preregister the patient. If the preregistration is complete, the patient's are instructed to go directly to the Cardiac Cath Holding Area on 17 North on the day of the procedure. If admitting is unable to contact the patient, they must go to Admitting first on the day of the procedure.

    Once the patient arrives in the Holding Area at the time instructed, they will be greeted and assigned a bed slot and a nurse. The nurse will have all of the paperwork started with the test results done prior to the Cath. They will then prepare the patient for the procedure. Additional blood work may be done at this time. The patients are kept on a stretcher and attached to a monitor for the duration of their stay. All patients are given a tentative time for which they are scheduled for the procedure, this time can and does frequently change due to emergencies and angioplasty's which take additional time to complete. Our staff will keep you and your family informed of the time changes. Once the lab is ready for the patient a premedication will be given to help relax the patient, as well as prevent any reactions to the IV Contrast Dye used to illuminate the heart and it's arteries. During the test your family and loved ones will be asked to wait in either of the two waiting rooms across from the elevators. We ask you to assign one spokesperson for your family, so we can spend more time taking care of your loved one. At the end of the procedure the doctor performing the Catheterization will find your family in the waiting rooms, and discuss the results with them.

    If there was a blockage(s) that could be opened, the patient will then await a bed assignment. The patient may return to the Holding Area, or be transferred directly to either an inpatient telemetry unit or the Coronary Care Unit (CCU).

    If there was no treatment necessary, or a surgical correction of the blockages is recommended, the patients' may be returned to the Holding Area, and discharged directly from there. They will be given specific post procedure instructions and recommendations for follow-up and referrals.

    The remaining cases of the day will be patient's already in the hospital. The same preparation is done for these patients. These patient's rooms may be changed depending on the results found. These families are also asked to wait in waiting rooms on the17th floor.

    Our primary goal is to provide the safest care for your loved one. We will provide you with information that will help you in understanding the cause and treatment plan for you family member requiring cardiac care. Please let us know what we can do to make your stay with us more comfortable so that you can have the best possible experience when having a cardiac procedure.