The Cardiac Catheterization Lab

The Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory (also known as the cardiac cath lab) is a specialized service providing diagnostic and interventional cardiology procedures used in the treatment of coronary artery and peripheral vascular disease. Each year, approximately 3000 procedures are performed in the cardiac cath lab including diagnostic heart catheterization, balloon angioplasty and stent placement (including cardiac, carotid and peripheral stenting).

The lab consists of four state-of-the-art procedure rooms that house the most advanced technology including bi-plane flat panel imaging, which allows for more images with less contrast dye usage, and magnetic catheterization. Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) is the first hospital in Georgia, and still one of only a handful of programs in the Southeast, with magnetic catheterization technology, a catheter navigation system designed to assist physicians performing interventional procedures with more precision and control, especially in difficult to reach areas of the heart.

The cardiac cath lab is located on the NGMC Main Campus, on the 4th floor of the Outpatient Services Building. The cardiac cath lab serves not only Hall County, but also 15 other counties in the regional service area, and provides 24-hour, 7-day a week coverage for interventional cardiac care.

In addition to advanced diagnosis and treatment of cardiac disease, NGMC also participates in cardiac research trials, providing patients access to the very latest treatment options while participating in important studies that will improve future treatment of cardiac disease. Many of the studies are conducted in conjunction with other leading institutions such as New York University (NYU) Medical Center, the Mayo Clinic and the Medical College of Virginia.

Click here for diagnostic and treatment procedures performed in the NGMC Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory.