The cardiac catheterization laboratory--1990.
Over the past several decades, there has been an evolution and proliferation of catheterization laboratories. During the latter half of the 1980s, these changes have resulted from the development of a number of catheter-based therapeutic techniques. In general, it would seem reasonable to predict that the 1990s will continue to show expansion of laboratory services in both traditional hospital and nontraditional settings. In the latter, the free-standing laboratories will probably grow substantially. The types of patients studied in this new era will continue to be largely those with suspected or known coronary artery disease. The most dramatic changes in laboratory configuration will be in the image system. High-definition systems will become the standard. Images will be recorded direct to solid-state memory using fluoroscopic techniques. Resolution will be increased at reduced noise and enhanced contrast. Higher resolution video monitors and video recorders will be the cornerstones of the laboratory. The image information for an entire day's work will be stored first on a digital tape system, probably a rapidly accessed reel system, and by the late 1990s in solid-state memory. Individual case data will then be copied to smaller cassettes for patient reports. An entirely digital system will provide rapid electronic acquisition, processing, storage and transmission of information. In addition, physicians will be able to call up previous studies that have been copied to this format for storage. Storage space will be reduced considerably. Access of information will be relatively rapid compared with cine equipment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Pepine
C J
CJ
Department of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville.
D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D006801:Humans; D007753:Laboratories / Q000458:organization & administration; D013677:Medical Laboratory Science