Northwest Health Opens Hybrid OR/Catheterization Laboratory to Enhance Patient Care

4/16/2024

On April 16, Northwest Health - Porter’s new $ 5.85 million hybrid catheterization laboratory/operating room combination ushered in a more advanced level of cardiovascular technology to the area.

The hybrid catheterization lab, or "hybrid cath lab," is a specialized medical suite that combines the capabilities of a traditional cath lab, used for minimally invasive interventional cardiac procedures like angioplasty and stenting, with those of a surgical operating room. This allows for a wider range of cardiovascular procedures to be performed in a single setting, providing patients with more comprehensive care and potentially reducing the need for multiple procedures or surgeries.

"The introduction of the hybrid cath lab/OR reaffirms Northwest Health’s commitment to excellence in patient care and as a leader in cardiovascular medicine,” said Dr. James Leonard, chief executive officer for Northwest Health - Porter. “By having this technology locally accessible, we ensure timely interventions, reduce patient transport times, enhance collaboration among specialists, and can improve patient outcomes. It also demonstrates our commitment to innovation and delivering high-quality healthcare services tailored to the needs of the region.”

The new hybrid cath lab is approximately 1.5 times larger than the hospital’s other four traditional cath and electrophysiology labs and is suited to treat a range of conditions from complex coronary and structural heart disease to peripheral vascular disease.

“As an interventional cardiologist for many years, I have seen the difference time, technology and teamwork make when someone is having a heart attack or other cardiac-related event,” said interventional cardiologist Sandeep Sehgal, M.D., FACC. “The configuration and advanced capabilities of the hybrid lab allows physicians the ability to quickly transition to an open heart procedure, if a cardiac team determines that would be a better option. Previously, that would require moving the patient to a separate operating room. Our teams are excited to leverage this technology to provide quality, evidence-based care to our community.”

Key benefits of the hybrid catheterization laboratory include:

Minimally Invasive Procedures: The hybrid nature of the lab allows for a seamless transition between diagnostic and interventional procedures, minimizing the need for multiple interventions and reducing a patient’s recovery time. Additionally, complex interventions, such as transcatheter heart valve replacements and coronary artery bypass grafting (heart bypass surgery); can now be performed with greater ease and safety.

Increased precision: The hybrid cath lab is equipped with advanced imaging technology, such as fluoroscopy and 3D echocardiogram imaging, allowing for more accurate diagnosis and treatment of complex cardiovascular conditions.

Expanded treatment options: With the ability to perform both minimally invasive procedures and open surgeries, patients have access to a wider range of treatment options tailored to their specific needs. This flexibility for the hospital to perform multiple procedures on a patient at the same time contributes to safety by exposing patients to less anesthesia and less radiation used during imaging.

For more information regarding the nationally recognized heart care provided at Northwest Health – Porter, visit nwhealthporter.com/cardiac-care.

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