New cardiac catheterization lab to serve patients closer to home
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – Broward Health Imperial Point has expanded its cardiac services with the opening of a new cardiac catheterization lab and interventional radiology suite.
This state-of-the art suite includes two procedures rooms, seven pre-and-post-procedure patient care bays, an isolation room, a room devoted to echo cardiograms, three diagnostic stress lab stations, and an expansive waiting room equipped with the latest patient monitoring technology.
“Our cardiovascular and interventional radiology suite is an investment in our community,” said Randy Gross, CEO of Broward Health Imperial Point. “With the new cath lab patients will have access to critical life-saving cardiac procedures close to home.”
Broward Health Imperial Point’s new cardiac suite is conveniently located on the ground floor, just steps from the emergency department, and is designed to provide a seamless experience for cardiac patients and their families. The expanded facility will have capacity to treat dozens of patients per month.
“When it comes to a heart attack, time is of the essence,” said Mammen P. Zachariah, M.D., Director of Cardiovascular Services, Broward Health Imperial Point. “Having a cardiac catheterization lab close to home allows our multidisciplinary medical team to quickly determine crucial and life-saving next steps in treatment.”
At the cath lab and interventional radiology suite, patients have access to screenings and diagnoses as well as treatment for cardiovascular conditions such as chest pain, heart attacks, heart failure, heart valve problems, cardiogenic shock and more. The most acute heart attack patients will be able to receive critical interventional care.
“This is much more than a cardiac catherization suite,” said Jerry Capote, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, Broward Health Imperial Point. “It’s a comprehensive cardiac and interventional radiology unit that seamlessly combines interconnected services, providing patients with the highest quality, timely care.”
Among the procedures that will be performed are diagnostic left and right heart cath coronary intervention (angioplasty); cardiac implants – loop recorders; coronary intravascular ultrasound; thrombectomy; and IABP (intra-aortic balloon pump). Soon to be added to cardiac implants will be pacers and AICDs (automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator).
The new cath and interventional radiology lab is the latest capital improvement made in cardiac care at Broward Health. The health system, which has made a multi-million dollar investment in cardiac service line upgrades, has a more than 50-year history in advanced cardiac care, dating back to the 1960s when Broward Health opened the first follow-up pacemaker clinic in the country. In the 1970s, the first cardiac cath lab and open heart surgery took place at Broward Health. The healthcare system has been distinguished as one of the nation’s top centers for cardiovascular treatment and provides comprehensive clinical, surgical and rehabilitative care.
