Published: December 12, 2024
Emergency Heart Attack Care
During a STEMI (heart attack), a short time to treatment is vital. With a 24/7 heart attack alert team and level II cardiac cath labs at Galion and Ontario Hospitals, our teams perform diagnostic testing and procedures that can save lives. Numerous clinical studies have shown that the quicker the blood flow is restored to the heart, the lesser the chance of death and reduced long-term disability.
What is a Cath Lab?
A cardiac catheterization lab, also known as a cath lab, is a sterile room in the hospital where specially trained doctors perform minimally invasive procedures to diagnose and treat cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks. There are three levels of accreditation a cath lab can achieve, which determines the level of care a patient can receive.
- Level I Cath Lab – The hospital can diagnose and stabilize a patient with heart and vascular disease, such as a heart attack, and prepare them for transport to a facility that can perform life-saving procedures.
- Level II Cath Lab – The hospital can perform minimally invasive, catheter-based procedures to diagnose and treat heart and vascular disease, such as heart attacks.
- Level III Cath Lab – The hospital can perform open heart surgery.
Who Works in a Cath Lab?
- Interventional Cardiologists are specially trained heart doctors who perform catheter-based procedures in order to diagnose and treat heart and vascular disease.
- Cath Lab Nurses are closely involved in the care of patients from the time they arrive for their procedure to the time they are discharged.
- Cath Lab Technologists assist the interventional cardiologist with the procedure.
Both the cath lab nurses and technologists keep an eye on the patient’s condition during and after the procedure and will notify the cardiologist of any changes.
What is a STEMI?
A STEMI is a full-blown heart attack that is caused by the complete blockage of an artery of the heart. STEMI stands for ST elevation Myocardial Infarction. ST elevation refers to a particular pattern on an EKG heart tracing and myocardial infarction is the medical term for heart attack.
3 Types of ACS
A STEMI is one of three types of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). ACS occurs when plaque ruptures in a coronary artery, causing a partial or complete obstruction (blood clot) of the artery.
- STEMI – Complete obstruction of a coronary artery. This results in death of the heart muscle resulting in a STEMI. This is the worst form of ACS.
- NSTEMI – Partial obstructions of a coronary artery. This is known as NSTEMI (non ST elevation myocardial infarction). There will be some death of the heart muscle, but since there is partial blood flow it is less than a STEMI.
- Unstable Angina – Sometimes clots will form, dissolve, reform, and continue this over hours, days, weeks, or months. This is called unstable angina. Typically someone suffering from unstable angina will have on and off chest pain.
Treating a Heart Attack
Once you are placed on a cardiac monitor (at the ER or by the EMS), the STEMI will be recognized and our heart attack alert team will be activated to provide immediate intervention.
Once in the cardiac cath lab, you will have a diagnostic angiogram to determine where the blockage is and how it should be treated. If indicated, immediate ballooning and/or stenting of the vessel will occur. This will open the vessel and restore blood flow to the part of the heart that is not receiving oxygenated blood.
Know the Signs
If you think you are or someone you know is having the following symptoms, call 9-1-1 immediately. Time saves lives.
Signs of a Heart Attack
- Chest discomfort or pain
- Shortness of breath
- Cold sweats
- Lightheadedness, nausea, or vomiting
- Jaw, neck, or back pain