Cardiac catheterization

Our hospital cath lab has the capacity and support for diagnosing and treating cardiac issues 24/7. Our specialists include cardiologists, interventional radiologists, licensed radiologic technologists, registered nurses, certified nursing assistants and registered cardiovascular physician technicians.

This team of professionals most commonly perform cath lab procedures on an emergency basis, when it is suspected that symptoms, such as chest pain, may be an indication of a serious problem. We average over 1,800 cath lab procedures every year, which is more than any other in our region, and rivals the amount done in major metropolitan communities.

Diagnostic procedures are performed to help diagnose potential heart complications. Procedures performed through our cath lab include:

• Coronary angiography
• Intravascular ultrasound
• Left and right heart catheterization
• Myocardial biopsy
• Pacemaker insertion, permanent and temporary
• Pacing studies, overdrive pacing, cardioversions
• Pericardiocentesis
• Peripheral vascular angiography studies

Minimally invasive interventional cath procedures are typically used in place of traditional surgery. These interventional procedures are often easier on you, require less recovery time and resulting in less pain. We offer:

• Intra-aortic balloon placement
• Intracoronary rotational atherectomy
• Intracoronary stent placement
• Intracoronary thrombectomy
• Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA)
• Percutaneous transluminal peripheral vascular angioplasty
• Valvuloplasty

Transradial catheters are an an alternative to traditional groin catheters, and are placed in the wrist. Fewer than 15 percent of heart programs in the U.S. offer this option, leading to us having the highest volume of transradial catheterizations in Southeast Idaho, Western Wyoming and Southern Montana. Additionally, we routinely train physicians from across the country on this technique.

Benefits include:

• Decreased postoperative bed rest, even if the catheter is coupled with a stent procedure
• Fewer activity limitations
• More options for positioning during the procedure

Our cardiac cath lab offers angioplasty, a nonsurgical procedure designed to open clogged arteries. We also specialize in balloon angioplasty, when a balloon is used to widen the area of the vessel blockage, improving blood flow.

A coronary stent is a small, expandable mesh metal tube that acts as scaffolding to hold the artery open and improve blood flow. Stents come in various sizes, strengths and textures and are frequently inserted after balloon angioplasty. Our team also uses drug-eluting stents, stents coated with medications that decrease the potential for an arterial re-blockage.

Typically, after balloon angioplasty is performed, a stent is placed and, eventually, a thin layer of the artery's inner lining will cover the stent within about a month. With drug-eluting stents, this process may take up to a year. This is why you may need to take prescriptions from your physician.

Aside from the time required for cardiac catheterization recovery, you will not need to worry about mechanical medical devices or metal detectors affecting you due to your implanted stent.