I am really interested in your opinions on this... Our hospital recently took our low risk cath lab and expanded it. They are now doing cardiac caths, balloon pumps, temporary pacers, and stent placements on patients experiencing MI's day or night. So, now , instead of retavasing a patient and following through with that protocol, we now prep and run the patient to the cath lab as soon as the crew is ready.
My question, we do not have a cardiothoracic surgeon or an OR equipped to do open heart surgery within 50 miles, in your opinion isnt this just a little risky?? At least when we used to retavase, we would give the pt an opportunity to reperfuse before loading them on the helicopter and sending them to the heart center..
we are all just a little nervous about this. Are we overreacting?