Last week, Conemaugh Nason Medical Center celebrated its 2,000^th case in the facility’s cardiac catheterization (cath) laboratory. Dr. Tarun Tandon, who joined Conemaugh Nason and Cardiology Associates of Altoona in August, performed the procedure on Patrick Long of Roaring Spring on December 2.

Less than three years since opening its doors on January 15, 2019, the 2,400 square-foot lab continues to offer life-saving care to cardiac patients at a convenient location close to home.

“Urgency is extremely important in cardiac emergencies, and we are proud to offer these critical services to our patients when every moment matters,” said Tim Harclerode, FACHE, CPPS, CEO, Conemaugh Nason Medical Center. “We believe that quickly reaching this important milestone is a reflection of the support and interest of our community, and their trust in our commitment to providing high-quality care.”

Cardiac catheterization is a procedure used to diagnose and treat heart and blood vessel problems. A tiny tube called a catheter is placed into a blood vessel so that imaging dyes and small equipment can be passed through. Catheterization enables healthcare providers to examine the heart and blood vessels, and is used to look for blockages in arteries, check heart valve function, measure blood flow and even place stents in arteries when they are narrow or blocked. In a medical emergency, catheterization procedures allow physicians to quickly diagnose heart problems and provide life-saving treatments.

In addition to cardiac catheterization procedures, cardiac pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) procedures are performed in the cath lab. Vascular studies of other areas, such as patient’s legs, are also done in the cath lab.

To learn more about Conemaugh Nason Medical Center and the hospital’s cardiac catheterization lab services, visit Conemaugh.org/Nason.