What Is A Cath Lab?

Cath Lab – A Brief Overview

A Cath lab, commonly known as a "cardiac catheterization laboratory," is a specialized examination area within any clinic, hospital, or diagnosis center. It enables doctors and other healthcare professionals to execute nominally invasive examinations like angiograms, ablation, implantation of pacemakers, etc., along with advanced cardiac procedures. Cath lab allows medical professionals to diagnose and cure cardiovascular illnesses. Remember, it's not an operation theatre but a specialized room allowing nurses, cardiologists, and radiology technicians to detect cardiac issues and correct them. In a nutshell, it's a diagnostic tool for detecting blockages when your physician suspects patients suffering from coronary artery conditions. 

This section of the hospital, called the cath lab, is usually equipped with hi-tech and advanced imaging equipment allowing doctors to have a clear view of their patient's arteries, body's blood flow, and heart functioning. Hence, providing the care team with relevant information helps diagnose and treat blockages, arteries issues, and other medical problems without patients undergoing surgery.

Cardiac catheterization is a medical procedure to diagnosticate and cure various types of cardiovascular diseases, such as checking blocked segments of the artery, blood pressure in heart chambers, pumping capabilities, etc. It's a process where a catheter, a thin, hollow, and flexible tube, is inserted inside a large blood vein or groin. It's slowly threaded into the heart through the blood vessels – acting as a treatment for various cardiac issues of coronary stenting, coronary angioplasty, etc. Indeed, it's less painful, low risk, and quicker recovery time. 

Catheterization Laboratory Procedures 

Put, doctors and trained cardiologists insert the tube into the heart through a blood vessel enabling the cardiovascular team to insert stents, take pictures and perform angioplasty. The best part, one doesn't need general anesthesia or an overnight stay at the hospital. 

The most common non-surgical procedures performed in a cardiac catheterization laboratory include the following:

Ballon Angioplasty

The cardiologist uses a special catheter with a balloon attached at one end, allowing it to be inflated inside the patient body. It is threaded over a guidewire to the artery blocked with plaque preventing blood flow. The balloon is inflated and deflated numerous times to compress the plaque while stretching the artery to increase blood flow to the heart. 

Stent Implantation

The stent is a tiny, metal mesh tube that is threaded through the balloon-tipped catheter to the blocked vein and permanently embedded in the artery. It acts as a scaffold to open the artery and prevent it from collapsing or re-blocking. 

Rotoblation Atherectomy

During rotoblation, a special catheter having diamond coated, acorn-shaped tip is used to open the blocked artery. The tip spins at high speed and grinds away the fatty plaque, which is carefully and safely filtered out through the bloodstream and liver.

Cutting Balloon

It has a special balloon tip with miniature blades and is used with the balloon catheter. When the balloon is inflated inside the patient, the blades get activated, allowing them to destroy the plaque. 

Pacemaker

A pacemaker is a small device, approx. The size of a matchbox, powered by batteries helping the heart to beat a regular rhythm. It's needed by patients who suffer from irregular or slow heartbeats. 

Thrombectomy

During thrombectomy, a catheter filled with medication is inserted into the patient's blood vessel to remove the blockage and restore blood flow to the heart. 

Cath Lab Machineries

The cath lab requires specialized equipment and machinery and standard equipment. The cath lab's x-ray systems are the most basic equipment in a cardiac unit. The cath lab also requires the administration of controlled medication and IV solutions. The kind of medical procedure in the cath lab determines the machinery needed in the examination room. 

Indeed, the cath labs are continuing to innovate and expand using AI, robotics, 3-D imaging, and other state-of-the-art technologies to reduce the risk of radiation.

In case of emergencies, emergency machinery such as a code cart, CPR devices, defibrillator, temporary pacing devices, and other equipment must be located nearby. 

X-Ray Machines

The cath lab is mainly performed using x-ray machines which help doctors detect blocked arteries. Nowadays, angiography and imaging systems offer advanced real-time imaging without increasing radiation risk. The most common type of x-ray machine used in a cath lab is fluoroscopy (XRF). 

Procedure Carts

They are durable mobile medical carts with customizable configurations and features, allowing doctors, care teams, and other medical staff to perform specific procedures during procedures. 

Computer Stations

Workstations are designed to process and store digital images, data, or other necessary information that might be needed during cardiac catheterization. 

Monitors

Generally, the cath labs are equipped with two monitors, one displaying live imaging, and the other is a reference recording monitor.

Injector Pumps

Injector pumps comprise an injector head different from syringes and are intended to inject the smaller vessels with lower flow and pressure. 

Procedure Table

These tables are used in a cath lab for multiple purposes, such as allowing the patient to sit, checking, or laying the patient during procedures. 

Types of Cath Labs

Here's all you need to know about the different types of cath labs:

Single Plane Vs. Biplane Cath Labs

The biplane cath systems are beneficial for neurology and cardiac, implementing 3-D imagery systems that quickly capture image data and use two axes detectors. They come with standard 3-D software and use a double C-arm, giving more space but taking extra time to get the site ready. Indeed, the biplane cath lab has a larger footprint, and the specialty systems, components, and equipment costs are higher. Besides, it offers enhanced flexibility of viewing two monitors simultaneously from two planes. It also provides more visualization during the procedure. 

Whereas single plane cath labs implement one ax to display 3-D captured images. Hence, they take longer than biplane cath labs. Although, you have the option to add the 3-D software that could cause delays. These systems usually cost 20 to 30% less than the biplane cath lab but can deliver similar performances. 

Floor Mounted Vs. Ceiling Mounted Cath Lab

Choosing a floor mounted or ceiling mounted depends on the type of workflow room space, procedure, and other requirements. 

The ceiling-mounted systems require robust structure and are suspended from the ceiling; hence, they must have higher ceilings. As a result, they offer more floor spaces for the gantry. Clinics, hospitals, and other practices interested in creating a ceiling-mounted cath lab in an existing facility must allocate a higher budget, costing around 10,000 dollars. Moreover, the ceiling-mounted cath lab offers sophisticated imaging while meeting requirements for treating complex cardiac cases and therapeutic procedures. 

On the contrary, floor mounted cath lab requires a finished floor to install the appropriate equipment, monitors, and other systems. Also, one needs to consider the movement of the gantry and ensure the floor is at the same level as the systems. 

Mobile C-Arm Vs. Cath Lab

Both of them come with their own set of advantages and differences:

Application

Mobile C-arm is great for same-day cardiac or vascular procedures. In contrast, cath labs are great choices when it comes to advanced medical procedures requiring more extended usage of fluoroscopy machines. 

Functions 

Mobile C-arm offers excellent mobility and requires less time to set up and install. On the contrary, cath labs take longer to install and provide a comprehensive suite of functions such as post-processing options, multiple review stations, and tableside controls.

Cost

Mobile C-arm generally costs lower than a cath lab. A used C-arm can easily be purchased for approx. USD 10,000 – 90,000, whereas the modern cath lab prices start from USD 400,000. However, a cost-effective solution is buying a pre-owned, installed, and tested one at almost half the price. 

Mobility

As the name suggests, the mobile C-arm offers enhanced mobility, whereas the cath labs are mounted, offering limited mobility. 

Conclusion

Hopefully, the above points have cleared all confusion regarding a catheterization laboratory. Undeniably, cath labs must meet the industry's highest healthcare standards and offer patients convenience and solutions. Now you would be more comfortable deciding which cath lab and equipment would be best for your facility. 

FAQ

1. What is a cath lab used for? 

A cath lab is a specialized room in a clinic, hospital, or any other diagnostic center allowing doctors, cardiovascular, and others to conduct tests and procedures like angioplasty, ablation, ICDs, angiogram, and pacemakers. 

2. Why do patients go to the cath lab?

Doctors and physicians usually send patients to cath labs to detect and treat heart coronary diseases such as chest pain, peripheral vascular disorders, heart attacks, pulmonary hypertension, congestive heart failure, pulmonary embolisms, neurology interventional procedures, and others. 

3. How long is the cath lab procedure?

The entire catheterization procedure takes around half an hour to one hour. Meditations help the patient relax and enable doctors to implement the process without any issues. 

4. Is cath lab considered surgery?

The cath lab is a non-surgical medical procedure that allows trained physicians, nurses, and other medical staff to diagnose heart issues while treating them by inserting a tiny tube, aka a catheter. 

5. What is the cath lab procedure?

During the catheterization laboratory procedure, a tiny, flexible, hollow tube is inserted into blood vessels or veins leading to the heart. It allows doctors to treat the blocked arteries preventing the blood flow to the heart.