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Mobile cardiac catheterization: comparison with outpatient and inpatient catheterization at tertiary facilities

C M Elliott1, R M Bersin, A V Elliott

  • 1Mobile Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, Sanger Clinic, Charlotte, NC 28203.

Catheterization and Cardiovascular Diagnosis
|January 1, 1994
PubMed

Insights

Mobile cardiac catheterization is safe for low-risk patients, with a 0.7% complication rate. High-risk patients with unstable angina or myocardial infarction require tertiary center care.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Interventional Cardiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Cardiac catheterization is a key diagnostic tool.
  • Mobile catheterization labs offer expanded access to cardiac procedures.
  • Assessing the safety and efficacy of mobile labs is crucial for patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the safety and outcomes of cardiac catheterization performed in mobile units versus tertiary centers.
  • To identify patient risk profiles suitable for mobile catheterization.
  • To compare complication rates across different settings.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 1,553 cardiac catheterizations across mobile units and tertiary hospitals.
  • Categorization of procedures by setting: mobile unit, short-stay tertiary, and inpatient tertiary.
  • Analysis of patient indications and complication rates based on American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) criteria.

Main Results:

  • Mobile catheterizations (n=719) had a low complication rate (0.7%).
  • Inpatient tertiary catheterizations (n=557) showed a higher complication rate (3.1%).
  • Low-risk patients (atypical chest pain, positive stress tests) were suitable for mobile labs, while high-risk patients (unstable angina, myocardial infarction) required tertiary centers.

Conclusions:

  • Mobile cardiac catheterization is a safe and effective option for carefully selected low-risk patients.
  • A clear distinction in patient risk stratification is essential for determining the appropriate catheterization setting.
  • Mobile catheterization labs can improve access to care while maintaining high safety standards.

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