What Happens in a Cardiac Catherization Lab?

A cardiac catheterization lab, or cath lab, is a specialized examination room equipped with advanced diagnostic imaging technology. This allows your cardiology team to see inside your heart by guiding a tiny, thin tube, called a catheter, through a blood vessel to your heart. This procedure, known as cardiac catheterization, provides critical insights into how well your heart is functioning. Cardiac catheterization offers valuable information about your heart muscle, valves and blood vessels. It also enables doctors to perform minimally invasive procedures and confirm conditions that other tests may not detect. Tests and procedures performed during cardiac catheterization include: Angioplasty and stenting: A balloon-tipped catheter is guided to the site of a blockage. When the balloon is inflated, it pushes plaque (a thick, fatty substance) to the side, restoring blood flow. Often, a mesh tube called a stent is placed in the artery to provide additional support. Measurements of pressures, blood flow, and oxygen levels: By assessing pressures and blood flow in the heart’s four chambers, doctors can evaluate how well your heart pumps. Blood samples taken during the procedure also help measure oxygen levels in different areas of the heart. Imaging studies: Advanced imaging, such as intravascular ultrasound, helps assess plaque buildup and detect blocked stents. Fractional flow reserve measures pressure on either side of a blocked artery to determine if treatment is necessary. In addition to these procedures, numerous other minimally invasive interventions to improve cardiovascular function and blood flow are performed in a cath lab. However, it’s important to note that a cath lab is distinct from an operating room used for major heart surgeries. What sets us apart? At Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center, we are proud to offer the largest cardiac catheterization lab in the Greater Lafayette area, featuring seven state-of-the-art cath lab suites. Our program stands out for its exceptional scope of care: The largest team of cardiologists in the region The largest team of cardiothoracic surgeons in the region The highest volume of procedures in the region, treating more than 4,000 patients annually Recipient of the National Cardiovascular Data Registry Chest Pain – MI Registry Performance Achievement Gold Award in 2022

What types of conditions can be diagnosed or treated in the cath lab?

Your doctor may perform cardiac catheterization to treat a blockage during a heart attack. Cardiac catheterization is also used to diagnose or treat congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease (narrowing of the vessels that supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart), peripheral artery disease (narrowing of the blood vessels that supply blood to the legs from the heart), heart valve problems, problems with the heart’s rhythm (irregular heartbeats), heart defects present at birth and pulmonary hypertension.

Cardiac Catheterization Lab

Why choose the Ochsner cardiac catheterization lab?

Ochsner Health delivers advanced heart care throughout Louisiana and the Gulf South. Heart disease affects our communities at higher rates than many other parts of the country, meaning you or a loved one may eventually need expert diagnosis and treatment.

At Ochsner Health, we combine cutting-edge technology with compassionate expertise to deliver world-class cardiac care. Our cardiac catheterization labs are equipped with the latest advancements in heart imaging and minimally invasive procedures, ensuring you receive the highest standard of care close to home. Explore our cath lab through a virtual tour to see how we’re redefining heart care in the Gulf South.

We stand ready to meet that challenge. Across our system, Ochsner Health has expanded cardiac catheterization lab services and technology to bring world-class care closer to home. We set the standard for cardiovascular treatment by combining cutting-edge technology with compassionate expertise.

With a team of leading cardiologists and specialists by your side, you can move forward with confidence. From your first appointment to post-operative care and recovery, we guide you every step of the way. We ensure you understand your treatment plan and feel supported throughout your journey toward better heart health.

A cardiac catheterization lab, or cath lab, is a specialized room featuring advanced diagnostic imaging technology. This equipment allows your cardiology team to get a clear view inside your heart. They do this by carefully guiding a tiny, thin tube called a catheter through a blood vessel to your heart. This procedure, known as cardiac catheterization, gives us critical insights into how well your heart is functioning.

Cardiac catheterization provides valuable information about your heart muscle, heart valves, and blood vessels. It also allows our doctors to perform minimally invasive procedures and confirm conditions that other tests might not detect.

During a cardiac catheterization, our expert team can perform several key procedures:

Angioplasty and stenting: A catheter with a small balloon at its tip is guided to a blockage in an artery. When the balloon is inflated, it gently pushes aside plaque (a thick, fatty substance), which restores blood flow. Often, a small mesh tube called a stent is placed in the artery to provide extra support and keep it open.

Pressure, blood flow and oxygen measurements: By assessing the pressures and blood flow inside your heart’s four chambers, our doctors can evaluate how well your heart is pumping. We can also take blood samples during the procedure to measure oxygen levels in different parts of your heart.

Advanced imaging studies: We use innovative imaging, like intravascular ultrasound, to get a detailed look at plaque buildup and identify any previously placed stents that may be blocked. Another tool, fractional flow reserve, measures pressure on both sides of a blocked artery to determine if treatment is necessary.

In addition to these, our teams perform many other minimally invasive procedures in the cath lab to improve heart function and blood flow. It is important to know that a cath lab is different from an operating room, which is used for major heart surgeries.

Ochsner's commitment to leading-edge heart care is powered by a team of highly skilled specialists. Ochsner's cardiologists hold board certifications in multiple subspecialties, including electrophysiology and interventional cardiology. Ochsner also has dedicated experts in structural heart disease and ensure a hospital cardiologist is on-site seven days a week to provide continuous, expert oversight.

We are driven to stay at the forefront of new procedures and technology, often introducing them to the region first. This dedication to innovation means our specialists can more effectively detect and treat cardiovascular disease. By combining state-of-the-art technology with groundbreaking research and access to clinical trials, we provide our patients with comprehensive and forward-thinking heart care.

Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center offers the largest cardiac catheterization lab in the Greater Lafayette area, featuring seven state-of-the-art cath lab suites. Our program stands out for its exceptional scope of care:

The largest team of cardiologists in the region
The largest team of cardiothoracic surgeons in the region
The highest volume of procedures in the region, treating more than 4,000 patients annually
Recipient of the National Cardiovascular Data Registry Chest Pain – MI Registry Performance Achievement Gold Award in 2022

In the Greater Lafayette area, Ochsner's system of catheterization labs is designed for easy access, helping connect you to leading cardiovascular care when you need it most. Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center offers cath lab services at the following locations:

The Ochsner Rush Medical Center cardiac catheterization lab offers the least-invasive cardiac treatment alternatives available. Our state-of-the-art lab provides advanced techniques to diagnose and treat heart disease while minimizing risk and stress for our patients.

The Ochsner Rush cardiologists are supported by a trained cath lab team, which includes nurses and specially trained technicians who assist physicians with an array of treatment procedures.

Most cath lab procedures and tests completed in the lab can be performed while the patient is awake. Various medications are usually given, depending on the procedure and patient status.

FAQs

Many cardiac cath lab procedures are outpatient, meaning you will be home the same day. Some procedures require you to be awake but given a mild sedative. Others will require anesthesia. During the procedure, your heart rate, heart rhythm, blood pressure and oxygen levels will be monitored.

Your doctor may perform cardiac catheterization to treat a blockage during a heart attack.

Cardiac catheterization is also used to diagnose or treat:

Congestive heart failure
Coronary artery disease (narrowing of the vessels that supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart)
Peripheral artery disease (narrowing of the blood vessels that supply blood to the legs from the heart)
Heart valve problems
Problems with the heart’s rhythm (irregular heartbeats)
Heart defects present at birth
Pulmonary hypertension