Cath Lab

The cardiac and vascular catheterization labs at Adventist Health Lodi Memorial and Dameron Hospital are state of the art, offering diagnostic testing, interventional cardiology and peripheral vascular procedures for our patients. The facilities include two specially equipped rooms, each outfitted with imaging equipment that enables cardiologists to clearly visualize arteries, chambers of the heart and blood vessels. Our cath lab team performs non-emergency outpatient procedures during regular business hours throughout the week and is on call 24 hours a day for hospitalized patients and emergency cases.

Both Adventist Health Lodi Memorial and Dameron Hospital areSTEMI Receiving Centers. (STEMI stands for ST-elevated myocardial infarction, a type of heart attack.) This means we are equipped to ensure that patients experiencing certain types of heart attacks receive rapid access to cardiac catheterization, performed by a highly trained cardiologist, to reopen their blocked cardiac blood vessels as quickly as possible. Our team has been able to consistently resolve STEMI cases sooner than the American Heart Association’s current standard of 60 minutes or less, successfully treating cases typically within 20 to 45 minutes. When time matters, you can trust that Adventist Health is ready.

What is catheterization?

During cardiac catheterization, a cardiologist inserts a catheter (a thin, plastic tube) into an artery or vein in either the arm or the leg. Using special digital X-ray equipment, the cardiologist guides the catheter inside the body to assess the heart’s ability to pump blood. This helps the cardiologist determine whether surgery or non-surgical medical management may be the most appropriate treatment for the patient.

The cardiologist can also use catheterization to assess the condition of the patient’s vascular system — the veins and arteries that comprise the circulatory system. Many patients with narrowed or clogged arteries may be treated using procedures that help to improve blood flow to the heart. Left untreated, damaged arteries can lead to heart disease and stroke.