Conemaugh Nason Medical Center Reaches '500' Cath Milestone

Less than 10 months after opening a new cardiovascular catheterization (cath) lab, Conemaugh Nason Medical Center, Roaring Spring, completed its 500th cardiac catheterization on Oct. 28, 2019.

The 2,400 square-foot lab was officially opened on Jan. 15, 2019.

Cardiac catheterization is a procedure used to diagnose and treat heart and blood vessel problems. A tiny tube called a catheter is placed into a blood vessel so that imaging dyes and small equipment can be passed through. Catheterization enables healthcare providers to examine the heart and blood vessels, and is used to look for blockages in arteries, check heart valve function, measure blood flow and even place stents in arteries when they are narrow or blocked. In a medical emergency, catheterization procedures allow physicians to quickly diagnose heart problems and provide life-saving treatments.

In addition to cardiac catheterization procedures, cardiac pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) procedures are performed in the cath lab. Vascular studies of other areas, such as patient's legs, are also done in the cath lab.

"We are pleased to now have the cath lab resources to close the critical gap between the diagnosis of a heart attack and the initiation of the cardiac catheterization procedure," Tim Harclerode, chief executive officer at Conemaugh Nason Medical Center, said. "Every minute counts when a patient has a heart attack, and now, procedures that might have been performed at hospitals farther away can be done right here in Roaring Spring."

Dr. Medhat Zaher, medical director of the Conemaugh Nason cath lab, performed the 500th cardiac catheterization.

Dr. Zaher and physicians from Cardiology Associates of Altoona and Central PA Physicians Group treat patients in the lab.