Cath Lab Course

Lesson 1 • Coronary Circulation and Collateral Flow

Describes dominant circulation patterns, collateral pathways, and myocardial perfusion territories. Prepares learners to anticipate angiographic findings based on anatomy.

Lesson 2 • Haemodynamic Principles and Pressure Waveforms

Explains intracardiac pressures, waveform morphology, and normal reference ranges. Connects physiologic baselines to abnormal findings encountered during catheterisation.

Lesson 3 • Cardiac Anatomy for Catheterisation

Covers chambers, valves, great vessels, and coronary anatomy relevant to catheter navigation. Provides the spatial framework needed for all subsequent procedural steps.

Lesson 1 • Sterile Technique and Infection Control

Establishes aseptic preparation, draping standards, and breach recognition protocols. Prevents procedural site infections and maintains sterile field integrity throughout cases.

Lesson 2 • Radiation Safety Principles and Practice

Covers ionising radiation physics, dose metrics, and ALARA principles for staff and patient protection. Directly reduces occupational and patient radiation exposure during procedures.

Lesson 3 • Cath Lab Layout and Equipment Overview

Identifies imaging systems, haemodynamic monitoring consoles, and support equipment positions. Establishes spatial awareness essential for efficient team performance.

Lesson 1 • Femoral Arterial and Venous Access

Covers anatomical landmarks, puncture technique, and sheath sizing for femoral access. Establishes the most commonly used access route in catheterisation practice.

Lesson 2 • Seldinger Technique Fundamentals

Teaches the wire-guided access method as the universal foundation for vascular entry. Mastery here enables safe execution of all subsequent access approaches.

Lesson 3 • Transradial Access Technique

Teaches Allen test assessment, radial artery puncture, and hydrophilic sheath use. Radial access reduces bleeding complications and is increasingly preferred in modern practice.

Lesson 1 • Left and Right Coronary Engagement

Teaches catheter manipulation to engage left and right coronary ostia from femoral and radial approaches. Correct coaxial alignment ensures diagnostic image quality and patient safety.

Lesson 2 • Catheter Types and Design Principles

Reviews diagnostic catheter shapes, materials, and torque characteristics for coronary and haemodynamic use. Correct selection minimises manipulation time and reduces vessel trauma.

Lesson 3 • Guidewire Properties and Handling

Covers wire stiffness, tip shape, and hydrophilic coating properties for safe catheter delivery. Proper wire selection prevents vessel dissection and facilitates smooth catheter exchange.

Lesson 4 • Left Heart Catheterisation Technique

Covers retrograde aortic valve crossing, left ventricular entry, and pigtail positioning for ventriculography. Builds on coronary engagement skills to complete the left heart study.

Lesson 1 • Vasoactive and Supportive Medications

Reviews adenosine, nitroglycerin, atropine, and vasopressor use during diagnostic and interventional cases. Timely drug administration prevents haemodynamic deterioration and optimises image quality.

Lesson 2 • Contrast Agent Properties and Selection

Compares ionic vs. nonionic, high vs. low osmolality contrast agents and their clinical trade-offs. Correct selection reduces nephrotoxicity and haemodynamic side effects during injection.

Lesson 3 • Anticoagulation During Catheterisation

Covers heparin, bivalirudin, and antiplatelet agent use for procedural thrombosis prevention. Appropriate anticoagulation balances clot prevention against bleeding risk throughout the case.

Lesson 1 • Injection Technique and Image Optimisation

Covers contrast injection rate, volume, and timing for optimal coronary opacification. Proper technique prevents inadequate filling, streaming artifacts, and excessive contrast use.

Lesson 2 • Angiographic Projections and Angulation

Teaches standard and supplemental projections for left and right coronary systems. Correct angulation eliminates vessel foreshortening and overlap to reveal true lesion anatomy.

Lesson 3 • Left Ventriculography Technique and Analysis

Teaches contrast ventriculography acquisition and wall motion analysis for LV function assessment. Integrates with haemodynamic data to complete the diagnostic cardiac catheterisation report.

Lesson 4 • Lesion Characterisation and Stenosis Grading

Applies visual and quantitative methods to classify stenosis severity, morphology, and complexity. Accurate lesion description drives revascularisation decision-making and risk stratification.

Lesson 1 • Pulmonary Hypertension Haemodynamic Evaluation

Interprets pulmonary artery pressures, wedge pressure, and PVR to classify pulmonary hypertension. Distinguishes pre-capillary from post-capillary disease to direct appropriate therapy.

Lesson 2 • Pressure Gradient Measurement Techniques

Covers simultaneous and pullback gradient recording across valves and vessels. Accurate gradient measurement is the foundation for valvular stenosis severity quantification.

Lesson 3 • Aortic and Mitral Valve Assessment

Applies Gorlin formula and valve area calculations to quantify aortic and mitral stenosis severity. Integrates gradient and output data to classify disease and guide intervention planning.

Lesson 1 • Physiologic Lesion Assessment: FFR and iFR

Applies fractional flow reserve and instantaneous wave-free ratio to guide revascularisation decisions. Physiologic assessment prevents unnecessary stenting of haemodynamically non-significant lesions.

Lesson 2 • PCI Equipment and Guide Catheter Selection

Covers guide catheter shapes, support classification, and backup force concepts for PCI. Proper guide selection provides the platform stability required for device delivery.

Lesson 3 • Balloon Angioplasty Technique

Teaches balloon sizing, inflation protocol, and lesion preparation principles for PCI. Adequate lesion preparation improves stent expansion and reduces restenosis risk.

Lesson 4 • Coronary Stent Deployment Principles

Covers BMS vs. DES selection, stent sizing, deployment pressure, and post-dilation technique. Optimal stent deployment minimises edge dissection, malapposition, and in-stent restenosis.