The Ninth Annual Educational Conference of the National Society of Radiology Practitioner Assistants (NSRPA) was held at the Gold Coast Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas from February 10-12, 2008. More than 200 radiology physician extenders and midlevel healthcare providers attended. The attendees included radiology practitioner assistants (RPA/CBRPA), radiologist assistants (RA/ARRT), and students from Weber State University’s RPA/RA program. Corporate sponsors, keynote speakers and invited representatives from the American College of Radiology (ACR), American Registry of Radiologic T

The Ninth Annual Educational Conference of the National Society of Radiology Practitioner Assistants (NSRPA) was held at the Gold Coast Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas from February 10-12, 2008. More than 200 radiology physician extenders and midlevel healthcare providers attended. The attendees included radiology practitioner assistants (RPA/CBRPA), radiologist assistants (RA/ARRT), and students from Weber State University’s RPA/RA program. Corporate sponsors, keynote speakers and invited representatives from the American College of Radiology (ACR), American Registry of Radiologic Technologis

I was raised in San Antonio, Texas, where I volunteered for the U.S. Army and began my medical training as a medic and radiographer in 1977. After being honorably discharged from active duty in 1981, I relocated to Houston, Texas, and began my civilian career as well as studying and learning cardiovascular technology. I am currently employed as the manager of the cardiac cath lab and interventional radiology departments at Conroe Regional Medical Center, Conroe, Texas.

Why did you choose to work in the invasive cardiology field?
Early in my healthcare caree

Case Report

A 62-year-old Caucasian male presented with recurring angina. He was experiencing angina attacks on walking 10 to 20 yards. The patient had suffered a myocardial infarction in the past and had undergone percutaneous intervention to his left anterior descending artery (LAD). Following the procedure, he remained relatively angina-free until recently. He was diabetic and hypertensive. There was a strong family history of premature coronary artery disease. He was unable to perform an exercise stress test due to peripheral neuropathy. In view of a positive

SICP Chapter News

The Keystone Chapter of the Society of Invasive Cardiovascular Professionals held its most recent meeting at the Bent Creek Country Club in Lancaster, PA. Fifty-four health care professionals, consisting of cardiothoracic surgeons, cardiologists, registered cardiovascular invasive specialists, perfusionists, surgical technologists and surgical nurses, cardiovascular technology students and industry representatives were in attendance for a very informative presentation by Dr. Wilson Szeto, a cardiothoracic surgeon from Penn Presbyteria

Study Finds Economic Advantages for 64-Slice CT, SPECT Concludes History of CAD a Factor in Economic Effectiveness of Non-Invasive Methods

A multi-center study has found the cost savings of the two leading non-invasive methods for detecting coronary artery disease (CAD) varies based on the patient’s heart history. The study found that patients who underwent coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA), without a prior diagnosis of CAD, incurred costs $603 lower (per patient average) than those who underwent myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI or SPECT). Both gro

ACIST Medical Systems, offering variable-rate contrast injection systems for cardiac and vascular angiography, is pleased to be the recipient of the Frost & Sullivan Technology Innovation Award.
According to Frost and Sullivan, “ACIST Medical Systems’ ability to provide innovative, variable-rate contrast injection solutions for cardiovascular angiography applications has endeared the company to its customers. ACIST offers flexible system configurations to meet the specific needs of the customer, lab workflow and patient. For these reasons, Frost and Sullivan recognize AC

  Got a good story or funny one-liner to tell? Would you like to see yourself in the (Cath Lab Digest) funny pages?
Mark R. Purpura, cath lab professional and cartoonist, wants to place your funny moment at work into one of his infamous cath lab cartoons.

Submit your story, one-liner or just a funny situation in the cath lab to mark@smackpappy.net.
 

New Questions

One IV, no Foley?
We are a tertiary care hospital seeing 5,000 patients per year for cath. Our lab routinely starts 2 peripheral IVs and places a Foley catheter for all female patients. What is your practice in you lab?
We are asking because we are considering a change (to one IV, no Foley).
Thank you!
Thank you,
Kathleen Kearney, NP,C Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Interventional Cardiology Beth Israel Medical Center Boston, MA
Email: KKearney@chpnet.org
Cc:

What is orbital atherectomy and how does it differ from rotational atherectomy?

Orbital atherectomy is a promising new methodology for treating symptomatic peripheral arterial disease within the major and branch arteries of the leg. It is performed with the Diamondback 360^° Orbital Atherectomy System (Cardiovascular Systems, Inc., St. Paul, MN), a new atherectomy device utilizing an orbiting eccentric diamond-coated crown on the end of a drive shaft powered by a pneumatic drive console (Figures 1a and 1b). The shaft and crown are advanced over a pre-