Cardiovascular Lab

The cardiovascular lab at NorthCrest Medical Center is a state of the art facility for arterial catheterization.

A physician will perform a procedure called an arteriogram. Dye is injected into the arteries and the flow of blood is viewed to diagnose blockages in those arteries.

Registered Nurses and Radiology Technicians staff the lab to assist the Cardiologist and Interventional Radiologist with the procedures and to care for the patient pre and post catheterization.

Questions and Answers
How is a heart arteriogram (heart cath) done?
What types of treatment are available for patients with blocked arteries?
What is done for patients with poor circulation to their legs and feet?
What are some other procedures that you do?
How long will I be in the hospital if I have an arteriogram done?
What can I do to prevent heart disease?

How is a heart arteriogram (heart cath) done?
The patient is mildly sedated by an intravenous drug and is resting comfortably on a special bed in the procedure room. The physician uses a numbing medicine to deaden an area in the groin. A small tube is then placed in the femoral artery. Using x-rays, the physician will guide this tube up to the coronary arteries. These are the arteries that supply blood to the heart. Dye is injected into the arteries and pictures are taken of the heart and its blood supply. The physician is able to view any blockages in the arteries and offer the patient treatment options.

What types of treatment are available for patients with blocked arteries?
The types of treatment are different depending on how many blockages are found and where the blockages are located. Mild blockages may be treated with diet, exercise and medications. More severe blockages may be treated with balloon angioplasty or stent. This is done by inserting a small balloon to the area of the blockage and inflating that balloon to open the area that is blocked. A small metal device may be inserted to keep the area open. Patients that have more than one blockage my require heart bypass surgery.

What is done for patients with poor circulation to their legs and feet?
A similar procedure called a "lower extremity arteriogram" is performed. The patient is mildly sedated and rests comfortably on a special bed in the procedure room. The physician numbs a small area in the patient's groin. A small tube is then placed in the artery in the groin. Dye is injected into the arteries that supply blood to the legs and feet. Pictures will be taken of the arteries as the dye flows though them. The physician is able to use those pictures to diagnose blockages in these arteries.

If blockages are found the arteries in the legs and feet, the physician may be able to open those blockages using a balloon or stent. This is usually done at the same time as the arteriogram and is not considered painful by most patients. The physician simply runs a small balloon down to the area of the blockage and inflates the balloon to open the artery that is blocked. A small metal device called a stent may be inserted to keep the blocked area open. This allows blood to flow normally again through the blood vessels. Patients with severe blockages in the arteries that supply blood to the legs and feet may require surgery to repair or by-pass those arteries.

What are some other procedures that you do?
Many other similar procedures are done to examine the blood flow to various parts of the body. It is possible to visualize blood flow to the brain to assist physicians in treating patients who have suffered from a stroke or are experiencing stroke type symptoms. Other patients may require a procedure to follow the blood flow to the kidneys. We can visualize the blood flow to most body organs and assist physicians in making decisions on treatment options for those patients.

How long will I be in the hospital if I have an arteriogram done?
You may have an arteriogram done as an inpatient or as an outpatient. Most patients come in the same day of the procedure and are discharged in 6-8 hours. However, if your test shows blockages, your physician may require you to remain in the hospital to provide treatment for those blockages.

What can I do to prevent heart disease?
It is never too early or too late to begin heart health living.
If you smoke, stop now.
Smoking is extremely dangerous to the inside layer of arteries that supply blood to the heart. In addition, smoking damages blood vessels that supply blood to your legs and brain.
If you are a smoker and need help to quit, there are medications available to assist you. See your physician for those.