What is the difference between a cath lab and an electrophysiology lab?
After all, electrophysiology and cardiac catheterization laboratories use the same small detector radiology system hardware as a Philips Allura FD10 or a GE Innova 2100 IQ. But the reality is that there are significant differences between the configurations of these two laboratories.
EP Laboratory
PE focuses on examining and mapping the electrical system within the heart.
For example, an electrophysiological study may be performed if a patient suffers from cardiac arrhythmia. The electrophysiological study can determine the location of the electrical fault within the patient’s heart and can then be corrected by implanting a defibrillator or pacemaker, or performing an ablation procedure.
Cath lab
Cardiac catheterization is used to diagnose many heart conditions. It focuses on viewing and monitoring the anatomical structure of a patient’s heart and blood vessels. It can assess blood flow, look for blockages, monitor valve function, and more.
Auxiliary equipment
Both cath lab procedures and electrophysiology lab procedures require ancillary equipment to perform studies. These include injectors and hemodynamic monitoring. However, EP Lab also requires additional equipment such as a 3D mapping system, cardiac stimulator, RF generator, and combined lab in an EP-oriented lab setup.
Because more equipment is required in an electrophysiology laboratory, more carts, counter space, and monitors are also required. In all likelihood, an electrophysiology laboratory will need to have a more comprehensive cable management strategy to keep the electrophysiology laboratory safe and navigable for the technicians and clinicians moving around in it.
Required staff
Both Cath and EP Labs have a team of staff members to assist physicians with cardiac catheterization. However, a second smaller team with additional training is required to assist in electrophysiology-oriented laboratory settings. If you are considering creating a multi-use cath lab system, you may need to provide additional training to staff beyond using the new equipment.