Overview
- State-of-the-art cath labs revolutionize cardiovascular care, enabling doctors to diagnose and treat various heart conditions.
- This article provides a comprehensive guide to what happens in a cath lab, from preparation to post-procedure recovery.
- Perpetual Help Medical Center – Las Piñas is renowned for its exceptional cardiovascular care, with its state-of-the-art cath lab ensuring that patients receive high-quality treatment and support for their heart health needs.
Living with a heart condition raises questions about treatment options. Thankfully, state-of-the-art cath labs are a game-changer. These high-tech facilities allow doctors to diagnose and treat many heart problems, from blocked arteries to irregular rhythms. This translates to quicker recovery, less pain, and a faster return to your life.
This article will guide you through what to expect in a cath lab, covering everything from pre-procedure preparations to post-procedure recovery. Fortunately, here in the Philippines, Perpetual Help Medical Center–Las Piñas boasts of a state-of-the-art cath lab to ensure optimal heart health for our patients.
What Should You Expect in a Cath Lab?
It is a specialized facility utilizing advanced technology to diagnose and treat a wide range of heart issues. Here’s what to expect during a cath lab procedure:
Pre-procedural Preparation
Before the procedure, you need to wear a hospital gown. A thin plastic tube called a cannula will be inserted into your arm to allow for medication administration if needed. Your doctor will thoroughly discuss the procedure and obtain your informed consent.
Once in the cath lab, you’ll lie comfortably on an X-ray table. This can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours, depending on its complexity. An ECG machine will continuously monitor your heart rate, along with vital signs like blood pressure and oxygen levels.
Sterile drapes will be placed to maintain a clean environment. Depending on the chosen anesthesia type, you may receive general anesthesia, which will put you to sleep, or local anesthesia with sedation, which will make you tired but keep you awake.
Procedural Monitoring
Before the start of the procedure, the healthcare provider will shave the area where a catheter will be inserted, usually in the groin but sometimes in the wrist, elbow, or neck. The specific access point depends on the procedure and your cardiovascular anatomy.
An IV line will be placed in your arm for fluids and medications that can be administered throughout the procedure. You’ll probably be awake during the procedure, but medication through the IV will help you relax.
The doctor will then carefully guide the catheter through your vascular system to reach the targeted area of your heart. Once the catheter is in place, a contrast dye will be injected to visualize specific structures within your heart. This dye helps identify potential issues that can contribute to various heart conditions.
Post-procedural Care
Finally, X-ray images will be taken of your heart and arteries. These images allow the doctor to assess the condition of your heart and determine the best course of treatment. Once the procedure is complete, the catheter will be removed and the insertion site closed using a method chosen by your doctor.
You’ll be monitored for a while before being discharged or admitted for an overnight stay depending on the complexity of the procedure.
How Important are Cath Labs in Cardiovascular Care?
With an estimated 17.9 million people succumbing to cardiovascular disease annually, cath labs emerge as a cornerstone of modern cardiovascular care. These facilities meticulously assess heart function and diagnose potential or existing issues with precision.
Within the cath lab, a team of specialists collaborates under the lead of an interventional cardiologist. This enables them to perform detailed evaluations and address blockages in the heart’s blood vessels. Its versatility allows them to tackle a broad spectrum of cardiovascular concerns, making cath labs a vital tool in improving heart health.
What Procedures are Done in a Cath Lab?
Cath labs provide doctors with the capability to explore and potentially treat over 30 distinct types of cardiovascular problems. Here are some of the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures utilized to address heart and blood vessel issues.
- Coronary Angiography. It helps doctors see inside the coronary arteries using a special dye and X-ray imaging, which can reveal blockages or other issues.
- Electrophysiology Studies. These tests identify the heart’s electrical activity, particularly useful for diagnosing and treating irregular heart rhythms.
- Angioplasty. A balloon-tipped catheter is used to open narrow or blocked arteries, restoring proper blood flow to the heart.
- Stent Placement. A small mesh tube called a stent is placed in a narrowed artery to help keep it open and improve blood flow.
- Ablation for Arrhythmias. Catheters deliver energy to specific areas of the heart, which can correct abnormal heart rhythms.
Key Takeaway
Now that you know what to expect in a cath lab, you can approach your next doctor’s appointment with greater confidence and preparedness. It will ensure a smoother experience and help alleviate any worries when undergoing diagnostic testing or treatments.
Perpetual Help Medical Center–Las Piñas has delivered quality healthcare for almost 50 years, ensuring our patients receive the best cardiovascular care possible. With two cath labs in place, we provide advanced diagnostic and therapeutic procedures to address a wide range of heart conditions. Contact us today for more details.