Cath Lab Nursing Course

Lesson 1 • Roles and Team Structure

Defines each team member's responsibilities, including nurses, technologists, and physicians. Clarifies nursing scope of practice within the interdisciplinary cath lab team.

Lesson 2 • Regulatory and Safety Standards

Covers infection control, radiation safety regulations, and accreditation requirements governing cath lab practice. Connects compliance to patient and staff safety outcomes.

Lesson 3 • The Cath Lab Environment

Introduces the physical layout, specialized equipment, and workflow of a cardiac cath lab. Establishes spatial and operational awareness critical for safe patient care.

Lesson 1 • Heart Structures and Function

Reviews chambers, valves, and great vessels with emphasis on catheter navigation pathways. Directly supports understanding of access routes and catheter positioning.

Lesson 2 • Coronary Circulation Pathophysiology

Describes atherosclerosis, stenosis, and ischemia as the primary drivers of cath lab procedures. Links pathology to clinical presentation and procedural indication.

Lesson 3 • Hemodynamic Principles

Explains cardiac output, preload, afterload, and contractility as measurable parameters. Prepares nurses to interpret hemodynamic data collected during procedures.

Lesson 1 • Manual and Mechanical Hemostasis

Teaches manual compression technique and use of vascular closure devices and compression systems. Prepares nurses to achieve safe hemostasis and detect early complications.

Lesson 2 • Sheath and Introducer Management

Covers sheath insertion assistance, flushing protocols, and introducer care during procedures. Ensures nurses maintain access patency and prevent thrombus formation.

Lesson 3 • Access Site Complications

Identifies hematoma, pseudoaneurysm, arteriovenous fistula, and retroperitoneal bleed as key complications. Trains nurses to recognize early signs and initiate appropriate interventions.

Lesson 1 • Sedation and Analgesia

Covers moderate sedation agents, monitoring requirements, and reversal drugs used in the cath lab. Ensures nurses maintain patient comfort and safety throughout procedures.

Lesson 2 • Vasoactive and Antiarrhythmic Drugs

Reviews adenosine, nitroglycerin, atropine, and vasopressors used during diagnostic and interventional cases. Trains nurses to anticipate indications and respond to hemodynamic changes.

Lesson 3 • Anticoagulation Therapy

Covers heparin, bivalirudin, and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors used to prevent procedural thrombosis. Connects dosing protocols to ACT monitoring and reversal strategies.

Lesson 1 • Angiographic Interpretation Basics

Teaches nurses to identify coronary anatomy, stenosis location, and lesion characteristics on angiographic images. Supports informed communication with the physician during case review.

Lesson 2 • Fractional Flow Reserve and Imaging

Introduces FFR, iFR, and intravascular imaging tools used to assess lesion severity beyond angiography. Prepares nurses to assist with pressure wire setup and IVUS or OCT procedures.

Lesson 3 • Right Heart Catheterization

Covers Swan-Ganz catheter insertion assistance, waveform interpretation, and cardiac output measurement. Builds skills for monitoring patients with heart failure or valvular disease.

Lesson 1 • Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump Management

Explains IABP timing, trigger modes, weaning, and complication monitoring for nurses managing counterpulsation. Connects balloon augmentation to hemodynamic improvement goals.

Lesson 2 • Cardiogenic Shock Recognition and Management

Defines cardiogenic shock stages, hemodynamic criteria, and escalation pathways used in the cath lab. Trains nurses to act decisively when patients deteriorate during high-risk procedures.

Lesson 3 • Invasive Pressure Monitoring

Covers arterial line setup, transducer zeroing, waveform interpretation, and troubleshooting. Ensures accurate, continuous pressure data throughout all cath lab procedures.

Lesson 1 • PCI Complications and Response

Identifies coronary dissection, perforation, no-reflow, and stent thrombosis as critical PCI complications. Trains nurses to recognize warning signs and execute rapid response protocols.

Lesson 2 • Complex PCI Techniques

Introduces bifurcation stenting, chronic total occlusion, and rotational atherectomy as advanced PCI strategies. Prepares nurses for longer, higher-risk cases requiring heightened vigilance.

Lesson 3 • PCI Equipment and Setup

Covers guidewires, balloon catheters, stent systems, and inflation devices used in PCI. Ensures nurses can prepare and organize equipment efficiently before and during cases.

Lesson 1 • Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

Covers TAVR procedural steps, valve delivery systems, and nursing roles during transfemoral and transapical approaches. Prepares nurses for the complex, multidisciplinary TAVR team environment.

Lesson 2 • Electrophysiology Procedure Basics

Introduces EP study setup, ablation catheter management, and arrhythmia mapping concepts for cath lab nurses. Builds awareness of the unique monitoring and safety needs of EP cases.

Lesson 3 • Mitral and Tricuspid Interventions

Introduces MitraClip, transcatheter mitral valve replacement, and tricuspid repair procedures. Connects transesophageal echocardiography guidance to nursing support responsibilities.