In 2008, ACMC and Cleveland Clinic opened a diagnostic Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at our hospital. The addition of cardiac catheterization services at ACMC takes heart care in Ashtabula County to a whole new level. Members of our community can now receive safe, quality diagnostic testing and faster treatment without leaving home.
With this state-of-the-art facility on-site, physicians are able to swiftly and safely diagnose arterial sclerosis (thickening of the arteries) and heart abnormalities, as well as ventricle and valve issues. We will also have the capability to perform peripheral angiography, which helps us look for coronary artery disease in other parts of the body such as the arms, legs and abdomen.
Cardiac catheterizations will be performed by ACMC’s staff of board-certified cardiologists including Cleveland Clinic staff cardiologist Perry Fleisher, MD and James Cho, MD.
Joining them is a support staff of technologists and nurses. A technologist is an expert at utilizing and troubleshooting the imaging system and is trained to obtain the best cardiac images to help support the cardiologist’s clinical interpretation. Registered nurses are also an integral part of the team. Our cardiac catheterization nurses have critical care backgrounds and are experts in the field of conscious sedation. Our nurses and technologists are certified in Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS).
As you can see, a top-notch team of medical professionals and support staff has been assembled to ensure this our Cardiac Catheterization Lab at ACMC has the best people and the best equipment available to treat our patients.
What is Cardiac Catheterization?
Cardiac catheterization is a non-surgical outpatient imaging procedure that gathers information about cardiac muscle function and blockages. This information helps physicians determine your best option for effective treatment.
Cardiac catheterizations are safe, routine procedures that are done to:
- Confirm the presence of heart disease
- Determine the severity of heart disease
- Understand the cause of symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness and irregular heartbeats
- To assess a patient prior to heart surgery
Our Capabilities
The state-of-the-art facility swiftly and safely diagnoses arterial sclerosis and heart abnormalities, as well as ventricle and valve issues.
Peripheral angiography is also performed at the ACMC Cath Lab. This procedure helps physicians spot coronary artery disease in other parts of the body such as the arms, legs and abdomen. If coronary artery disease is found in one area of the body, it is likely to be elsewhere in the body as well. This cardiac catheterization equipment helps physicians diagnose heart conditions safely and more effectively than ever before.
Patients undergoing a cardiac catheterization at ACMC will meet strict criteria much like the criteria defined by the American College of Cardiology and the Society of Cardiac Angiography and Intervention. We also work closely with Cleveland Clinic to establish policies and protocols, as well as physician peer review and medical education.
The Cardiac Catheterization Lab is the first of its kind in Ashtabula County. ACMC is proud to provide this vital diagnostic tool to Ashtabula County. It’s just one more way of showing that ACMC has your best interests at heart.
More Information
For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please call Cardiac Services at 440-997-6614. If you have any more specific departmental questions, please contact the Director at 440-997-6267 or at chip.stroup@acmchealth.org