NCH Cardiac Catheterization Lab facts: • Performs more than 4,000 cardiac catheterization procedures and 1,000 angioplasty procedures annually. • Treats 150 patients annually who are having a heart attack through the 24/7 Code-Save-A-Heart team with a 68-minute door to balloon time. • Performs diagnostic studies to diagnose valvular and structural heart problems as well as electrophysiology procedures. • Performs Structural Heart procedures, like TAVR, WATCHMAN or PFO (patent foramen ovale) with full cardiovascular operating room support. • The Electrophysiology Lab located within the Cath Lab performs over 1,000 procedures including pace- maker, ICD implants and ablations for arrhythmias. • Enables cardiac specialists to perform advanced structural heart procedures • Utilizes drop-down, ceiling- mounted equipment • Creates a sterile and safe work environment for staff • Eliminates trip hazards • Improves patient safety and observation Features of the new NCH cath lab
NCH Cardiac Cath Labs Reduce Need for Invasive Heart Surgeries
Modern advancements in the treatment of heart and cardiac system disorders – primarily through the use of cardiac catheterization – have made open heart surgeries much less necessary and much less risky than they once were. With improved catheterization technologies, more cardiac patients are now able to avoid open heart surgeries. NCH recently opened its fifth Cath Lab to serve the cardiac needs of the Southwest Florida community. The NCH cath lab team includes highly skilled professionals utilizing state-of-the-art equipment to perform procedures such as the transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and Watchman, which are based on the latest technological advances. TAVR treats aortic stenosis, or malfunction of the aortic valve, in patients who may not be healthy enough to undergo an open-heart surgery. More than 100 TAVR procedures have been performed at NCH since October 2018, with an excellent success rate. Other cath lab procedures include Watchman, which reduces stroke risk for atrial fibrillation (A-Fib) patients; patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure procedures, which also reduces the risk of stroke;
and ablation procedures to treat arrhythmias. The newest lab is designed to house the specialized equipment needed for cardiac electrophysiology procedures which require an anesthesiologist. This room includes an equipment boom that extends from the ceiling and provides access to oxygen, suction, electrical ports for the monitors and everything else that the anesthesiologists need to work with and observe their patients. It creates a very safe room environment. NCH Director of Invasive Cardiology, Stephen Cooke, BSN, RN, RCIS, says that the staff was very involved in designing the first four cath labs. Workstations were placed within the labs to improve line of sight and communication with patients. Medications and central supply dispensers were also located in the lab for speed and efficiency. “This design means we’ve eliminated the need for wall plugs and we don’t have to wheel equipment and supplies in on carts,” says Cooke. “Everything is right there. It’s a safe and sterile operation. A study showed that we saved 19 minutes on average per case, based on the labs’ setup and workflow.”
For more information about NCH’s Cardiac Catheterization Labs, contact Stephen Cooke at (239) 624-2545 or email Stephen.cooke@nchmd.org
NCH Director of Invasive Cardiology,
Stephen Cooke, BSN, RN, RCIS
Understanding the Link Between High Blood Pressure and Stroke
Each day that your blood pressure is too high, your chances of having a stroke are increased. Normal blood pressure is considered to be less than 120 over less than 80 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) or 120/80 mmHg. A stroke is a loss of brain function caused by a lack of blood to the brain. Stroke can result from the damage that ongoing high blood pressure causes in your vessels. If the affected vessel stops supplying blood to the brain, a stroke results. Brenda Hartmann, NCH System Stroke Coordinator, explains that
signs of stroke can differ among men and women. Strokes do not always hurt and often include one or more of the following coming on quickly: ■ Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body. ■ Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or difficulty understanding speech. ■ Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination. ■ Sudden severe headache with no known cause.
Acting F.A.S.T. is key: F — Face : Does one side of the face droop when smiling? A — Arms : Close the eyes and raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward? S — Speech : Say a phrase such as: “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” Is the speech slurred? T — Time : Call 9-1-1 immediately if you observe any of these signs.
High Blood Pressure damages blood vessels Vessels Thicken
Vessels break Sometimes blood flows with enough force toweaken a vessel wall. If the vessel is small or damaged, the wall can break. When this happens, blood leaks into nearby tissue and kills cells. Other cellsmay die because blood cannot reach them.
Clots form When blood pressure is too high, it can damage blood vessel walls which results in scar tissue. Fat and cholesterol (plaque) collect in the damaged spots. Blood cells stick to the plaque, forming a mass called a clot . A clot can block blood flow in the vessel.
When blood presses against a vessel wall with toomuch force, muscles in the wall lose their ability to stretch. This causes the wall to thicken, which narrows the vessel passage and reduces blood flow.
Source: The Staywell company retrieved from Krames
For more information about the NCH Stroke Center call Brenda Hartmann at (239) 624-4172
Made with FlippingBook Learn more on our blog