What is the size of your cath lab facility and number of staff members? Our cardiac cath lab contains three brand new labs and a seven-bed holding unit. We have 13 RNs, 4 RTs and 2 CVTs, plus a number of per diem staff of various credentials.

Dr. Bhatt was the senior author of the meta-analysis “Late Thrombosis of Drug-Eluting Stents: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials” appearing in the December 2006 issue of the American Journal of Medicine. His group was the first to analyze results from fourteen drug-eluting stent studies with 6,675 total patients, comprising nine sirolimus stent trials and five paclitaxel stent trials. Eight of the trials reported more than a year of clinical follow-up. The sirolimus trials mandated anti-platelet therapy for at least two to three months and the paclitaxel trials required six months.

Case History. A 54-year-old patient underwent cardiac catheterization following a positive exercise stress test in April of 2006.

“If it was you or a family member on the table, what would you want?”

Training is probably one of the most vital aspects of cath lab excellence. Training, which eventually turns into what is called “continuing education” after an individual is more skilled, must be ongoing throughout every cath lab professional’s career.

We are proud to introduce Zorka Musovic, the Treasurer of the Illinois Chapter of the Society of Invasive Cardiovascular Professionals (SICP). Zorka was also recently awarded Fellowship status with the SICP. Fellowship is bestowed upon those individuals who have made significant contributions to the SICP or the field of invasive/diagnostic cardiology. Additional requirement include having sat for and passed the Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS) examination, active status with the SICP and CCI (Cardiovascular Credentialing International) and a current staff position at a healthcare facility based in the cardiac cath lab or associated with an invasive cardiovascular technology program. — SICP Journal Editor for Cath Lab Digest

Answer or pose a question at cathlabdigest@aol.com.

Cath Lab Digest conducted a brief survey from June-December 2006 regarding the prevalence of peripheral vascular (PV) procedures in cath labs across the nation, as well as the type of multi-disciplinary interaction and scheduling related to PV procedures. Survey responses totaled over 200.

Re: The CARE Bill and Breath Holds

We had a dilemma. An asymptomatic, well-conditioned 52-year-old runner with mild, treated hyperlipidemia was concerned about heart disease because of a strong family history of coronary artery disease (CAD).

Concepts in Contemporary Cardiovascular Medicine, April 18 – 21, 2007, George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, Texas, www.cv-concepts.org

This is dedicated to all invasive cardiovascular professionals making a positive difference to their patients in the cardiovascular catheterization and electrophysiology labs, and contributing to the advancement of their profession.

“Ask the SICP!” is an ongoing feature in the SICP section of Cath Lab Digest. The SICP receives numerous questions throughout the month, and as the saying goes, “If one person is asking, there are five who aren’t.” This column will feature questions directed to the SICP about education, credentialing, professional standards, and issues that face us as cardiovascular invasive professionals. If you have a question surrounding standards or issues, please address them to askSICP@sicp.com and we will attempt to respond, giving you sound advice or opinions from the many professional resources available through the SICP.

S. 2322, the Senate version of the Consumer Assurance of Radiologic Excellence (RadCARE) bill passed the Senate under unanimous consent late in the evening on Wednesday, December 6, 2006.