What is a Cardiac Catheterization Lab or Cath lab?

Cath lab It is a simple name for a cardiac catheterization and coronary angiography laboratory to examine heart function. It is a room with efficiency in processing images of the coronary arteries or other blood vessels in the body. The images will be displayed on the screen and recorded as a digital television tape system that can be rotated in all directions as needed for more detailed re-examination. As a result, doctors can see images from all angles and can diagnose diseases more accurately.

What can the Cath Lab at Rayong Hospital examine?

The cardiac catheterization laboratory, or Cath Lab, can view abnormalities and the severity of coronary artery disease, examine the function of the heart muscle, the contraction of the heart, the death of the heart muscle, and measure the pressure in various heart chambers. In addition, it can also view abnormalities of the heart valves and the contraction of the heart muscle. If abnormalities are found, the doctor will perform coronary angioplasty with a balloon and fix the coronary artery with a stent.
Cath lab can be used to diagnose and treat cerebrovascular diseases such as ischemic stroke, cerebral ischemia, etc. It performs treatment by injecting dye into the cerebral blood vessels to see abnormalities at various points, which is an examination that gives more accurate results than an x-ray examination of the blood vessels.
Cath lab can be used to examine and treat blood vessels that are narrowed, blocked or have blood clots in the extremities by using catheterization (Vascular Intervention) such as blood vessels in the arms, legs, hands, feet.

How to check in Cath lab

The doctor will choose to inject local anesthesia in the groin or wrist and then insert a small, sterile tube approximately 2 millimeters in diameter through an artery. Then, a dye will be injected to see if the blood vessels are functioning or not. The doctor will be able to view it on a digital screen through a special X-ray box. It takes approximately 20 minutes. If there is an abnormality, the doctor will insert a coil to diagnose and provide further treatment. When finished, the catheter will be removed and a device must be used to press and stop the bleeding at the catheter insertion area for a period of time.

By this examination and treatment method, patients will recover quickly because they do not need major surgery and there is less risk. They can go home and do their daily activities as usual.

Preparation before cardiac catheterization

Patients must undergo a complete physical examination, such as blood tests, chest X-rays, and electrocardiograms.
Patients must prepare to stay in the hospital one day in advance and sign a consent form for treatment.
Patients should shower and clean their bodies. Patients who have undergone treatment will have their legs and groin areas cleaned by shaving the hair, which is the area where the doctor will insert the catheter.
Patients must abstain from food and water for approximately 4-6 hours prior to the examination.

Post-cardiac catheterization behavior

After the coronary angioplasty, the doctor will advise the patient to lie still by lying flat and adjusting the bed so that the head of the bed is raised 30-45 degrees. After that, the patient can walk or sit gently. Do not lift heavy objects or exercise too strenuously to prevent rupture of the blood vessel. However, the patient can turn on his side and move the tips of his toes and fingers.
The staff will use a compression device to apply pressure to the wrist wound or place a sandbag on the groin wound to stop the bleeding for at least 2-4 hours.
If you notice shortness of breath, palpitations, chest pain or tightness, dizziness, excessive bleeding in the groin or wrist area, a rash on the body and feet, cold hands, pain or numbness in the toes or hands, you should immediately notify the staff.
Patients should take care not to let the wound get wet. If the wound is dry, patients can shower as usual. However, if the wound is not dry, wipe it with alcohol and cover it with a plaster.
In cases where the patient does not restrict water, after the examination, the patient should drink plenty of water, at least 2,000 ml per day, to allow the kidneys to excrete the contrast material through urination.
You should avoid drinking alcohol, tea, coffee, soft drinks, and smoking.
You should eat a balanced diet. Avoid foods that are too sweet, fatty, or salty because they will make your heart work harder.

Why choose Cath Lab at Bangkok Rayong Hospital?

The Interventional Radiology Department (Cath Lab), Rayong Hospital, provides services with modern technology and a team of expert doctors to ensure that patients receive the best care, increase their chances of recovery, and have a better quality of life.

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