Why Is It Important To Have Cardiac Cath Labs In Hospitals?

Posted by White Plains Hospital on March 11th, 2021

1- What is a cardiac cath lab?

A catheterization laboratory, or commonly known as a cath lab, is a lab that is present in most hospitals nowadays. This lab's primary function is to house diagnostic equipment used to get a visual image of the heart's arteries. The tests performed in cardiac cath labs in White Plains, New York, help the doctors start treatment if any irregularities are found in the heart or the heart's chambers.

Most cath labs have an X-ray generator and an x-ray image intensifier. The intensifier is used to generate fluoroscopic images. In this digital age, most of the newly installed cath labs have two sources for projecting x-rays. The detectors used for this purpose are flat-panel detectors.

Several professionals are working simultaneously on various tests and procedures to ensure the cath lab's smooth functioning. The cath lab's staff consists of a radiologist, radiographer, a nurse, and a cardiac physiologist.

2- Procedures performed in a cath lab

There are a number of procedures that are performed inside a cath lab. These procedures are all conducted by placing the catheter in place. Complex procedures such as angioplasty, angiography, balloon septostomy, electrophysiology etc., are performed under expert supervision. Not only surgeries are performed, but pacemakers are also fitted, and if needed, they are adjusted according to the user wearing the pacemaker.

3- Importance of having cath labs

The procedures performed in a cath lab are done without having to cut through the body to reach the heart. Instead, the technicians use a thin hollow cannula to pierce through the blood vessels helping the cannula safely reach the heart. As this process does not require any cutting, it is also preferred by many people.

The main piece used in a cath lab is the contrast dye. The dye's effect on the person's heart can also be seen in real-time via x-ray imaging. This procedure is started from one of the blood vessels from the wrist or leg that moves in heart's direction. With the person feeling no excess pressure on the heart or the heart's surrounding areas, it is also widely recommended by doctors.

The heart condition is also monitored, and abnormalities in the heart or any one of the heart's four chambers can be seen immediately. Not only can the procedures done in cath labs can help with any issues in the heart. They can also be used to remove a small heart tissue sample for any further research or biopsy. Since it does not involve cutting, it has more advantages than other procedures that involve cutting and sewing the body.

To conclude

The White Plains Hospital has one of the best cardiac cath labs in New York.

Jalen Johnson is the author of this article. To know more about Emergency care White Plains, New York please visit our website: wphospital.org