Cardiac Cath Lab

Our Facility

Intermountain Medical Center Heart Services are designed to meet the needs of heart patients throughout the Intermountain west. These services are provided through a team approach of coordinated care provided by highly skilled doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists, dieticians, social workers and exercise therapists.

Heart Catheterization/Angiography

This procedure allows cardiologists to diagnose and treat heart disease. A wire is inserted into the femoral artery (groin), threaded through the arterial system and into the arteries that surround and supply blood to the heart. A contrast dye is injected and X-ray pictures are taken to diagnose the disease.

If the problem is diagnosed as blockage of one or more arteries in the heart, then several interventional techniques can be used to open these coronary arteries blocked by plaque. Plaque is a substance that builds up on the artery wall like hard water deposits in a pipe.

These techniques include:

• Balloon angioplasty: A small balloon inflates to compact plaque against the arterial wall. This procedure takes approximately one hour.
• Stent: A small metal mesh device acts as a permanent scaffold to prevent arterial collapse. This procedure will take about 60 minutes.
• Rotablator: This device shaves off layers of plaque from the arterial wall.
• Excimer laser: A laser removes arterial plaque by burning it off.
• Brachytherapy: Beta radiation is used to treat in-stent restenosis.
• DES (Drug Eluting Stents): Stents are coated with a drug to prevent restenosis.
• AngioJet: This device extracts clots from the artery.

Electrophysiology

An electrophysiology study (EPS) is an invasive test of the electrical system of the heart. During the study, the heart is paced in various ways to study the speed and location of the flow of electricity within the heart. In many cases, the study is an electrical test drive to see if the heart has the tendency to go into potentially dangerous rhythms that require treatment.

Therapies for various rhythm disorders

Medications, radiofrequency catheter ablation, permanent pacemaker implantation, implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), ablation of atrial fibrillation, and bi-ventricular implantable cardioverter defibrillator for treatment of heart failure.

Before Procedure

Knowing what to expect about an upcoming procedure can provide comfort to both you and your family. To help in your preparation, we have outlined information that allows you to take care of some important items before you come to the hospital.

Scheduling

Your cardiologist's office will schedule your procedure with our scheduling staff. If necessary, they will contact you with any individualized information and instructions prior to your procedure. It is your responsibility to pre-authorize the procedure with the insurance company; check with your physician's office staff to see if they provide this service.

Registering

Step 1

Pre-register by calling the Pre-Register number above.

• Have your insurance information available.
• The Patient Service Representative can send you a link to fill out the health history forms online. 
• Financial assistance is available for qualifying patients:
  Patient Billing & Financial Assistance   

Step 2

Health History Forms

Complete the required Intermountain Health & Medication History forms:

• Please note that we are required for hospital accreditation to have you fill out Intermountain surgical health and medication history forms--which may be in addition to the history forms needed by your surgeon or doctor. 
• Complete the Surgery Health History and Medication formsecurely online.
• Access to these online history forms is initiated by calling the Pre-Register number described above.
  Notice of Privacy Practices   

Step 3

Preparing for your SurgeryShow All

Why can't I have anything to eat or drink after midnight the night before my procedure?

Because stomach contents are hazardous when having any type of anesthesia. THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PRE-PROCEDURAL INSTRUCTION - DO NOT EAT, DRINK, OR SMOKE ANYTHING after midnight the night before your procedure, except clear liquids four hours prior to your procedure.

• Clear liquids that are allowed:
  • Water
  • Bouillon
  • Clear Jello
  • Popsicles
  • Gatorade
  • Apple juice, NO PULP
  • Soda pop
  • Coffee, WITHOUT CREAM
  • Clear Tea, WITHOUT CREAM
• No dairy products of any kind.
• No products with artificial red coloring.
• Gum, breath mints, chewing tobacco, smoking tobacco and vitamins are not to be used within four hours prior to your procedure.

What about my medications?

• DO take your heart, blood pressure, asthma, Parkinson's or seizure medications with a sip of water the morning of your procedure.
• DO NOT take any other medications 12 hours prior to procedure. This includes any oral diabetic medication or insulin, unless instructed by the nurse or physician. Bring your insulin with you. If you are diabetic, please contact one of the nurses prior to your procedure.
• Please bring a list of all medications (including herbal and over the counter medications) with you the day of your procedure.
• Use your asthma or other lung inhalers in the morning and be sure to bring them with you.
• If you are on oxygen at home, bring it with you.
• Contact your physician for instructions if you are taking aspirin, aspirin products, blood thinners, MAO inhibitors, or have taken diet pills (phen/fen or redux). Some medications need to be stopped a few days before the procedure.

What if I have special needs (i.e., diabetic, disability, language)?

• Call us and let us know what your needs are.
• Free translation services are available 24-hours-a-day in all spoken languages and ASL.

What if I feel ill before my procedure?

Notify your surgeon if you develop any of the following:

• Fever
• Sore throat
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Cough or congestion
• Chicken Pox exposure/illness within two weeks of surgery
• Any other problems that may interfere with your scheduled surgery

How should I get ready?

• Bathe and shampoo before coming to the hospital.
• Make sure your hair is dry prior to arriving. Pull back long hair with an elastic band.
• Wear loose clothing that is easy to get off and on, which will fit over a dressing.
• Do not wear any makeup or jewelry (including any body piercing) or metal hair accessories.
• Do not bring other valuables.

What should I bring with me?

• Cases for eyeglasses, contact lenses or hearing aids. All personal belongings will remain with your family member during the procedure.
• If you are staying overnight in the hospital - bring a small bag with personal items only (toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, comb or brush, shaving kit, other toiletries).
• Cash or a credit card for your co-pays (depending on your insurance) and filling any post-surgical prescriptions. Note: The cost of prescriptions cannot be added to your bill, unless under Workers' Compensation.
• The following documents, if applicable: Photo ID (such as a driver's license), insurance card(s), Medicare and/or Medicaid cards, a completed Living Will (if you have one).

Should someone come with me?

• If you are scheduled to arrive at 11:00 a.m. or later, call us before you leave home to see if any changes have been made to the schedule.
• One or two visitors - family members or friends - are welcome, but no children under 12 years of age, please.
• One family member should stay within the facility during your stay to receive instructions from the surgical team.
• A parent or guardian of a patient under 18 should stay in the facility until the patient is discharged. (If you are a guardian of a patient, bring copies of forms indicating guardianship or power of attorney.)
• A responsible person should be prepared to drive you home. Driving yourself home is NOT permitted. If you do not have a responsible person to drive you home, your procedure will be cancelled.
• A responsible adult should be prepared to care for you for the first 24 hours after your procedure.

Day of Procedure

Admissions Area

• Please review the Pain Management brochure found to the right in Additional Resources. The nurses will ask you to rate your pain according to the numeric or picture scale. This is described in the section "Rating Your Pain." This scale will help the nursing staff effectively evaluate and manage your pain. If you have any questions, ask the pre-operative nurse prior to surgery.

Pre-Procedure Area

• Complete admissions paperwork:
  • An informed consent indicating the procedure and that you have been informed about the risks of procedure. 
  • The Health History Form (if not already completed).
• Preparation for the procedure and initial recovery take place in the same area.
• First, you will change from regular clothes to hospital clothes.
• A registered nurse will perform an assessment and you will be prepared for your procedure. This may include having vital signs and weight measured, starting an IV (intravenous) line, drawing lab tests and possible urine sample.
• You'll be provided with a warm blanket, and TV while waiting to be moved to the Cath Lab.
• Waiting times before your procedure starts will vary. The actual time your procedure begins will depend on longer or shorter surgery times and emergencies. We will make every effort to keep you informed if a delay occurs.
• Your family will be able to wait in your room while you are in the Cath Lab having your procedure. No family may be permitted in the Cath Lab during the procedure.

Procedure Area

• Your cardiologist will visit with you. Please feel free at this time to ask any questions regarding your procedure. You can also refer to an online list of Questions Patients Frequently Ask found at the bottom of this page under Tools & Resources.
• A registered nurse will ask once more for your name, allergies, food intake status and, as necessary, identify and prepare the procedure site. (Your arm or groin will be shaven and cleaned with antiseptic solution. Sterile drapes will be placed over the area.)
• Monitors will be applied and a warm blanket provided.
• Local anesthetic will be administered to numb the area before the procedure begins.
• A sedative (conscious sedation) will be given during the procedure. It is important for you to remain awake so you can follow your doctor’s verbal instructions, such as breathing deep or coughing.

Post-Procedure Area

• Your recovery begins with individual nursing care - including any pain management.
• Depending on your procedure and medical condition you will likely return to our Post Cath Recovery Unit. An average of two hours (or more) of bed rest is required post procedure depending on your needs, type of anesthesia and procedure performed.
• Family will be able to visit in the Recovery area.

Recuperation

• You will stay in bed for a period of time, which may include laying flat for several hours.
• A registered nurse will:
  • Take vital signs
  • Treat nausea/vomiting
  • Manage any pain
  • Offer fluids (taking in fluids flushes the x-ray dye through your kidneys and out of your body.)
  • Provide discharge education (both written and verbal) to you and to the person who is taking you home.

Site Closure Device Information (one of the special products may be used to seal the puncture site of the artery used during your procedure)

• Angio-Seal: a device composed o f a small collagen sponge and an absorbable anchor, connected by absorbable suture. This “sandwiches” the puncture between the anchor (inside the artery) and the collagen sponge (outside the artery). You may notice a possible pea size lump and mild tenderness to the touch at the procedure site.

Prescriptions

• Your physician will provide any discharge prescriptions necessary.

Going Home

• You will be observed and made comfortable until you have met medical criteria.
• Depending on your needs and the procedure performed, many patients are able to go home the same day. If you have a stent placed, plan on spending one night in the hospital.
• If needed you will be accompanied by a staff member out of the building when you are discharged. You may walk, if feeling well enough, or be assisted to your car in a wheelchair.

After Procedure

Billing