Cath Lab 101

How a catheter and 3D system build a map of the heart's electrical activity and, in some systems, wall movement. Original diagrams; steps, kit, risks and recovery.

How a pressure wire measures the pressure drop across a narrowing to decide whether it needs treating. Original diagrams; steps, kit and risks.

How light-based imaging on a catheter shows the inside of a heart artery in very fine detail during an angiogram or PCI. Original diagrams; steps, kit and risks.

How a tiny ultrasound probe on a catheter shows the inside of a heart artery, the plaque and how well a stent has expanded. Original diagrams; steps, kit and risks.

How laser energy, usually from a balloon catheter with a built-in camera, isolates the pulmonary veins in AF. Original diagrams; steps, kit, risks and recovery.

How very short, high-energy electrical pulses treat the heart tissue causing AF, rather than heat or cold. Original diagrams; steps, kit, risks and recovery.

How heat from a catheter tip treats the small areas of heart tissue causing an abnormal rhythm. Original diagrams; steps, kit, risks and recovery.

How thin catheters record and test the heart's electrical system from inside, to find the cause of a rhythm problem. Original diagrams; steps, kit, risks and recovery.

How snares and other tools are used by catheter to retrieve lost or broken equipment from the heart or blood vessels. Original diagrams; steps, kit, risks and recovery.

How a machine takes over the work of the heart and lungs for a time, connected through large tubes in the groin. Original diagrams; cannulation steps, kit, risks and care.

How a small pump placed across the aortic valve by catheter helps the left ventricle move blood in shock or high-risk procedures. Original diagrams; steps, kit, risks and care.

How a long balloon in the aorta inflates and deflates with each heartbeat to support the heart. Original diagrams; insertion steps, kit, risks and care.

How a temporary pacing wire is passed through a vein into the heart and connected to an external box to keep the heart rate safe. Original diagrams; steps, kit and risks.

How a balloon makes an opening in the sac around the heart so recurring fluid can drain away. Original diagrams; steps, kit, risks and recovery.

How fluid around the heart is drained with a needle and a small drain, guided by echo and X-ray. Original diagrams; steps, kit, risks and recovery.

How a narrowed artery to the kidney is opened with a balloon-expandable stent, in selected patients. Original diagrams; steps, kit, risks and recovery.

How a narrowed carotid artery in the neck is opened with a stent, usually with a filter to catch debris. Original diagrams; steps, kit, risks and recovery.

How contrast dye shows narrowings or blockages in arteries outside the heart, such as the legs. Original diagrams; steps, kit, risks and recovery.

How narrowed arteries in the lungs are widened with a balloon, sometimes with a stent, in CTEPH or congenital heart disease. Original diagrams; steps, kit, risks and recovery.

How a balloon catheter makes or enlarges an opening between the upper heart chambers, mainly in newborns with some congenital heart conditions. Original diagrams; steps and risks.

How small metal coils are placed through a catheter to block an unwanted vessel or connection. Original diagrams; steps, kit, risks and recovery.

How a narrowed vein or artery graft from earlier bypass surgery is opened with a balloon and stent. Original diagrams; steps, kit, risks and recovery.

How a small filter or similar device placed beyond a narrowing catches debris released during treatment. Original diagrams; steps, kit, risks and recovery.

How a balloon with tiny blades or scoring wires makes controlled cuts in tough plaque so the artery opens evenly. Original diagrams; steps, kit, risks and recovery.

How a spinning burr or crown sands down hard, calcified plaque so a heart artery can be ballooned and stented. Original diagrams; steps, kit, risks and recovery.

How blood samples from the artery and the heart's own vein (coronary sinus) are compared in research studies of how the heart uses energy. Original diagrams; steps and risks.

How oxygen samples from each heart chamber show blood flowing between the two sides. Original diagrams; steps, kit, risks and recovery.

How the grafts from earlier bypass surgery are found and filled with contrast dye to check they are open. Original diagrams; steps, kit, risks and recovery.

How contrast dye injected through a catheter in the lung artery shows clots or narrowings. Original diagrams; steps, kit, risks and recovery.

How pressures, oxygen levels and cardiac output are measured on both sides of the heart through thin catheters from a vein and an artery. Original diagrams; steps, kit, risks and recovery.