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Cardiac Catheterization Lab The Cardiac Catheterization (Cath) Lab at South Coast Medical Center offers diagnostic and interventional procedures for a variety of conditions. Cardiac catheterization is a sophisticated diagnostic procedure that gives the cardiologist a guided tour of the inside of the heart. The cardiologist inserts a catheter into a vein or artery. The catheter is then guided to the heart. Once it is in place, a small amount of dye is injected into it. The view of the heart, highlighted by the contrast of the dye, is projected onto computer monitors and processed digitally before being recorded on a CD. The purpose of cardiac catheterization is to explore the heart’s structure and identify problems such as clogged arteries before a heart attack occurs. The results of this exploration help the cardiologist decide what is the most appropriate treatment for the patient. Doctors can also diagnose a number of heart conditions such as coronary heart disease, defective heart valves and congenital heart defects. Tests and Other Services This specialized medical lab performs insertions of pacemakers. In addition to the cardiac catheterization component, diagnostic and peripheral interventional procedures, such as renal angiography, aortic angiography and upper/lower extremity peripheral angiography, are performed in the lab as well. South Coast Medical Center opened the Cardiac Catheterization (Cath) Lab in May 2002. SCMC’s Foundation funded the building and the purchase of the state-of-the-art medical equipment for the Cath Lab, which cost $2.1 million. The lab features Siemen’s ANGIOSTAR Plus imaging system. Contact Information Cardiac Cath Lab |
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