Cath Lab Technology
Advanced cath lab services treat heart and stroke conditions
At Adventist Health Bakersfield, we offer exceptional care close to home. We are the top choice in Kern County for heart and stroke care. Patients who come to us benefit from timely, advanced treatment from a team of experts.
A catheterization laboratory, commonly shortened to cath lab, has special imaging tools that allows providers to view blood vessels and blood flow. We can perform advanced procedures in the cath lab for heart and brain conditions.
We have equipped our cath lab with new, advanced technology. Additions to the unit include:
- Artis Q biplane system: This imaging system features software that creates highly detailed images of soft tissue. It is one of the most advanced interventional medical imaging technologies on the market. The biplane system uses two rotating cameras, one on each side of the patient, to take simultaneous images. With this technology, we can detect hemorrhages (bleeds), visualize brain tissue and make quick and accurate treatment decisions.
- Cardiovascular Information System (CVIS): Also called cardiac PACS (C-PACS), our cardiovascular information and imaging systems connect to our electronic medical record (EMR), imaging technology and other cath lab systems. This allows us to combine all patient data and images into one location, so that your provider has a comprehensive view of your treatment.
- Intravascular lithotripsy (IVL): This technology uses ultrasound waves to open (dilate) severely calcified plaque in blood vessels. Our system is the first location to use this innovative technology in Kern County.
Cath lab procedures
Our advanced cath lab technology allows us to expand our services in both our cardiac and brain and spine service lines. In cardiac care, we can use the new technology for:
- Balloon angioplasty
- Cardiac and peripheral (leg) angiograms
- Stent placement
In our brain and spine service line, we can use the technology for:
- Aneurysm repair (clipping and coiling)
- Angioplasty
- Arteriovenous malformation (AVM) treatment
- Carotid stents
- Mechanical thrombectomy for ischemic stroke
- Treatment of head and neck tumors
- Diagnosis of cervical, cerebral and spinal conditions
How does cath lab technology benefit patients?
Because we have this new technology, our providers offer the safest, most advanced care. We can visualize blood vessels more clearly, leading to:
- More advanced procedures
- Lower risk of complications
- Potential decreased procedure times
Our neurointerventionalists are available 24/7 to provide advanced, timely stroke treatment in our cath lab. This technology also allows us to reach even more patients in Kern County. For example, now that we have the biplane system, we can perform aneurysm repairs in our cath lab, a procedure that wasn’t an option before.
Expanding for the future
We are continuing to build and improve all cath lab suites across Adventist Health Bakersfield. By 2022, all suites will have new imaging systems. Our goal is to offer complex structural heart procedures, such as the WATCHMAN left atrial appendage closure, patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) locally, so that you can continue to receive exceptional care close to home.