Clinicians say that patients with heart valve disease are dying while waiting, as they increasingly have to battle for space in vital but pressed catheterisation labs but Jacqui Thornton finds that solutions are possible
Cardiac catheterisation laboratories or “cath labs” a cross between operating theatres and x ray rooms are an essential part of the NHS. The clinicians working in them are not the most vocal or well known, but in the face of increased pressure their voice is growing louder.
This June a survey of 125 clinicians working in 36 cath labs throughout the UK revealed concern that a lack of capacity and beds was leading to more valve procedures being done non-electively, with poorer outcomes.1 Some 97% of respondents said that non-elective procedures were putting moderate to severe pressure on lists, and 72% said that patients were dying while waiting to be treated.2
The survey was carried out by Heart Valve Voice, a UK heart valve disease charity, and the All Party Par