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Cardiac Catheterization

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Provider using a cardiograph machine

Heart Attack

The Heart & Lung Institute cares for the highest number of patients in New Jersey with excellent results. We are the only provider in the region designated as a STEMI Center for the treatment of ST segment elevation myocardial infarction, the most serious type of heart attack. Emergency transport and cardiac catheterization are available around-the-clock for life-saving care.

The 20,000-square-foot Cardiac Catheterization & Rhythm Center of the Heart & Lung Institute at ARMC combines the latest, life-saving diagnostic and treatment technologies with patient-focused amenities.

The Center features three dedicated catheterization labs, one dedicated electrophysiology (EP) lab and one swing lab for catheterization or EP. This set up makes ARMC the only provider in southeastern New Jersey to offer 24/7/365 emergency catheterization with angioplasty and/or stent placement to stop a heart attack in progress and restore blood flow. All labs offer easy access to our state-of-the surgical suite, allowing rapid transfer for heart surgery if needed.

Dedicated Center for the Most Serious Heart Attack

When a coronary artery is completely blocked by a blood clot, blood can't reach the heart muscle and it begins to die. This most serious type of heart attack is called a ST segment elevation myocardial infarction, or STEMI.

STEMI is diagnosed in the ambulance through an electrocardiogram (EKG). Because rapid, expert intervention is crucial, the State of New Jersey designates only certain hospitals as “STEMI Centers,” where the highest level of emergency cardiac care is available 24 hours a day. As the only hospital in the region with this designation, ARMC receives STEMI patients transported by professional ambulance crews throughout southeastern New Jersey. There is no need to travel by helicopter to a hospital out of the area – we’re right here when you need us.

Lightning-Fast Treatment Times

When a heart attack strikes, every minute matters. At AtlantiCare, our average door-to-balloon times the time between the patient's arrival at the Emergency Department and opening the blocked artery – is comparable to the gold national standard of 90 minutes. The faster a blocked coronary artery is opened, the faster oxygen-rich blood can start flowing freely again – saving heart muscle and saving lives.

Cardiac Catherization Library.

Cardiac Catherization Library

To learn more about the different cardiac catherization procedures visit our Cardiac Catherization Library.

Cardiac Catherization Library

Treatments

  • Diagnostic cardiac catheterization: A diagnostic cardiac catheterization allows doctors to take a closer look at your heart to diagnose issues or perform other tests and procedures. In this test, a long, thin, flexible tube is placed into a blood vessel in the arm, groin or upper thigh, or neck and then maneuvered to your heart.
  • Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI): Percutaneous coronary intervention, also known as coronary angioplasty, is used to expand coronary arteries that have been narrowed or blocked by plaque. It may be used to ease coronary heart disease symptoms or reduce heart damage during or after a heart attack.
  • Right & left heart catheterization: When you receive a right or left heart catheterization, a long, thin, flexible tube is inserted into a vein in your groin or neck and then maneuvered to the right or left side of your heart. Doctors use this to measure oxygen in the heart, examine arteries, collect blood samples or perform a biopsy on the heart muscle.
  • Coronary angioplasty: Coronary angioplasty, also known as percutaneous coronary intervention, is used to expand coronary arteries that have been narrowed or blocked by plaque. It may be used to ease coronary heart disease symptoms or reduce heart damage during or after a heart attack.
  • Coronary atherectomy (laser & rotablator): Coronary atherectomy is a minimally invasive procedure that removes blockages from the coronary arteries to reduce pain and improve blood flow to the heart.
  • Fractional flow reserve (FFR) (iFR): Fractional flow reserve is a procedure that measures blood pressure and blood flow through a portion of a coronary artery.
  • Insertion of a biomed Impella heart pump: Impella heart pumps are used to temporarily assist in the pumping function of the heart during stent placements. It is installed through a catheter from the femoral artery, and removed once the stent procedure is completed.
  • Insertion of intra-aortic balloon pump: An intra-aortic balloon pump is used to help your heart pump more blood. It is a short-term treatment that improves heart function and blood flow by enlarging the heart valve opening.
  • Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS): Intravascular ultrasound combines echocardiography (EKG) and cardiac catheterization, using sound waves transmitted through a catheter to examine the condition of your arteries. With this test, doctors can look inside your blood vessels.
  • Optical coherence tomography (OCT): Optical coherence tomography uses infrared light instead of sound to create images of coronary arteries. It is an alternative to intravascular ultrasound.

Cardiac Cath Lab Virtual Tour