What is the size of your cath lab facility and number of staff members? We have 2 cath labs and a 4-bay prep area. We have 9 staff members, 5 registered nurses and 4 registered radiologic technologists [RT(R)s]. One third of our staff have over 10 years of experience and the other two-thirds have been in the cath lab an average of 3 years.

One of the primary endpoints of percutaneous intervention (PCI) is the incidence of bleeding complications. Classifications of bleeding are major or minor. Major bleeding is often defined by the Randomized Evaluation in PCI Linking Angiomax to Reduced Clinical Events-2 Trial (REPLACE-2). Major bleeding was defined as any intracranial, intraorbital or retroperitoneal hemorrhage, clinically overt blood loss resulting in a > 3 g/dl decrease in hemoglobin, any decrease in hemoglobin > 4 g/dl, or transfusion of greater than or equal to 2 U of packed red cells or whole blood. Minor bleeding was defined as any other clinically overt blood loss that did not meet criteria for major bleeding.^1-2

Introduction: Why is there a need for this article? This article is a tutorial on the basic knowledge of heart function in order to help cath lab staff members become more comfortable in the cath lab. I have used this format for years to teach new staff at my facility about the heart. I have given it as a lesson while using a couple of colored pens and some blank paper, in the break room, between cases and when time permitted.

Minimally invasive techniques for surgery and procedures such as cardiac catheterization (cath) have been highly successful in reducing patient recovery time and complications. This is because surgeons need only create small incisions to insert surgical instruments and viewing equipment. However, surgeons can also face disadvantages with a minimally invasive approach in the form of reduced access to the surgical site and limited dexterity.

My Friday begins at the early morning hour of 5 am. Unfortunately, it is like any other. After nearly 45 minutes of showering, shaving, and grabbing something small to eat, I start my journey to work in the cardiac cath lab.

Multiple ongoing questions... Your responses are welcome!

Cath Lab Digest recognizes and salutes the hard work of this great cath lab team at The Toledo Hospital.

Mortality associated with heart disease, stroke, and diabetes is 45% higher in this community than New York City as a whole.

In the February issue of Cath Lab Digest, Al Mogilia CVT, from Eugene, Oregon, wrote about ergonomics in the cath lab and provided wonderful illustrations showing how efficiency of design and operator/nurse motion can improve safety, speed and patient care. For the procedure of cardiac catheterization, just as with a procedure in surgery, it is important to be efficient, both as an individual and a team.

Greetings to all SICP members!