September 2009

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Volume 17 Issue 9

Editorial Staff

Clinical Editor
Morton Kern, MD
Executive Editor
Laurie Gustafson
Managing Editor
Rebecca Kapur
Production Manager
Elizabeth Vasil

Editorial Correspondence

Rebecca Kapur, Managing Editor, Cath Lab Digest
HMP Communications, 70 E. Swedesford Rd
Suite 100, Malvern PA 19355
Telephone: (440) 717-0418

Fax: (866) 896-8762
Email: rkapur@hmpglobal.com
Personnel Announcements
Congratulations! The North Shore Medical Center (Salem, MA) cardiac cath-EP lab clinical staff are demonstrating their commitment to lifelong learning and excellence in patient care. We congratulate three of our cath lab staff: • Matthew Manuppelli…
Clinical and Industry News
Vascular Solutions Launches the Gopher™ Gold Catheter Vascular Solutions, Inc. announces the availability of the Gopher™ Gold catheter, a support catheter with a twist for treating coronary and peripheral stenoses. A new and improved design of the o…
What Do You Think?
Multiple new and ongoing questions from readers. Your responses are welcome! Answer or pose a question at cathlabdigest@aol.com ______________________ Time-Out Information At LaPorte Hospital cath lab, we perform a “time-out” at the beginning…
Re: Cardiovascular Physician Extenders
I am someone currently embarking on the CVT/Physician Extender career path. I was military trained as a cardiovascular specialist and I have my hands in both echo and the cath lab, which includes EP and pacemaker insertion. Upon my exiting of the m…
The Society of Invasive Cardiovascular Professionals Revised Position Statement (Full title below)
The Society of Invasive Cardiovascular Professionals (SICP) maintains that all invasive cardiovascular professionals should demonstrate knowledge and competence through education and certification in advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) and achievem…
Cost-Effective Health Care and Research: FAME Fits
In this issue of Cath Lab Digest, Dr. William Fearon from Stanford University talks about the FAME (Fractional flow reserve vs. Angiography in Multivessel Evaluation) study1 and how using fractional flow reserve (FFR) with a pressure wire was a highl…
The Ten-Minute Interview with... Bryan K. Foucha BS, RRT, RCIS
I have lived and worked in the New Orleans area my entire life. I am truly blessed to be part of a wonderful family. My loving wife Charlotte is always there to give me support when it is needed. We are blessed with two great children: Alec (age 12)…
“When Every Second Counts, Think Heart First!”
A Community “Blessing” Blessing Hospital is a 426-bed community-based healthcare organization in Quincy, Illinois. Quincy may be a town with a population of just 42,000, but it is the primary medical hub for a region comprised of nearly 400,000 peop…
Considerations When Staffing the Cath Lab
Choosing to staff a cath lab at a bare minimum, in terms of personnel and skill levels, is not sufficient to meet the variable demands placed on this department and the healthcare needs of its patients. To avoid such a scenario, cath labs should have…
Continuing Education: Even in Tough Economic Times, It’s a Good Investment!
I would like to emphasize the importance and value of continuing education. Why should we consider continuing education, other than it being mandatory in some areas? As professionals, we must strive to be lifelong learners and to stay current in our…