Catheterization Lab
The Cardiac Catheterization Lab provides invasive, diagnostic and interventional angiographic cardiac services. Diagnositic procedures define coronary artery pathology requiring myocardial revascularization, valvular disease, presence or absence of shunts, myocardial biopsy and pulmonary angiography. Interventional procedures treat coronary stenoses by a variety of modalities, ie, PTCA, DCA, rotablator and stents.
The Cardiac Cath Lab provides the following procedures: - Coronary Angiography
- Right and Left Heart Catheterization
- Left Ventriculography
- Interventional Cardiology Procedures (PTCA, DCA, Stent Placement,
- Valvuloplasty, Rotablator)
- Intra-Aortic Balloon Insertion
- Pacemaker Insertions (temporary and permanent)
- Pulmonary Angiography
- Myocardial Biopsy
- Aortography
- Right Ventriculography
- Shunt Studies
- Pericardiocentesis
- Foreign Body Retrieval
- Cardioversion
The Cardiac Cath Lab is available for elective procedures Monday – Friday and is available for emergencies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. CARDIAC CATH LAB Collaboration is the mantra on the second floor of Saint Vincent Hospital. It is on this floor that the Cardiac Cath Lab works with the inpatient units and other departments to help heal a patient's most important muscle, the heart. FROM DIAGNOSIS... Patients may come to the hospital in crisis, suffering from severe chest pains or shortness of breath. Patients range in age from teenagers to the elderly, but most are between the ages of 55 and 65. They proceed to the Cath Lab for testing procedures such as a "heart cath". "We get a lot of patients that come in from the ER," said Nurse Manager of the Cardiac Cath Lab, Jennifer McCarthy. Patients are tested to see if there is a blockage in the arteries that lead to the heart. Once they are diagnosed, they receive treatments like the traditional angioplasty or a stent, which is a device that is inserted to keep the valve clear. ...TO TREATMENT Then it's on to the patient floor, where they are in the hands of Carol Howland and her staff. Carol has 15 years experience in the industry. Her department takes care of the patient and then prepares them for life after they leave Saint Vincent. Carol has begun new initiatives designed to educate the patient during their stay so that they may be less likely to suffer a relapse and end up back in the hospital. "The more patients take part in their care while they are in the hospital, generally the more successful they may be after their release," she says. Her department collaborates with the Cath Lab, Cardiac Rehab, Nutrition, and Social Work in treating the whole patient. Patients must understand their medications, change their diet and exercise routines, and, in some cases change their jobs or stop smoking. These departments work together in combating these changes. Carol has even instituted a new age treatment called, "Guided Imagery." The staff plays calming music as patients fall asleep for the night. Some believe music is said to decrease stress and improve recovery. Both departments have new, advanced equipment. Carol's department has new telemetry equipment and arrhythmia detectors. Jen is awaiting a new digital Cath Lab. The Cath Lab has a staff of 14 and Units 23/24 have about 40 people. They include nurses, technicians, nursing assistants and department secretaries. Both Carol and Jen say that there are some warning signs and risk factors we should all look out for: What to Look Out For - Chest pain or shortness of breath (call doctor immediately)
- Women may have different symptoms, such as jaw pain or shoulder pain
Risk Factors - Diet
- Weight
- Age
- Smoking
- Family History
- Stress Level
And remember, take care shoveling snow or participating in athletic activities that you don't normally do. For more information call 508-363-6221 Back to Top
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