Choosing Hemodynamic Monitoring for Your Cath Lab System

When you're making plans to introduce a cath lab at your facility, some details have a tendency to get overlooked. It's completely understandable, a cath lab is a big system and a cath lab project has, both literally and figuratively, a lot of moving parts. It's important, however, to make sure that in the midst of the planning you're not forgetting to account for your patient monitoring.

Because the nature of so many cath lab procedures is invasive, you'll need to have equipment in place to monitor and record what's happening inside your patient's body. This is where a hemodynamic monitoring (hemo) system comes into play. We'll share with you below the most common hemo units on the market as well as what you can expect from the search for the best one for your facility.

Common Hemodynamic Systems

Hemo units monitor body conditions such as temperature, blood pressure, pressures inside the heart and arteries, and oxygenation of the blood. Some of the higher-end units have still more features. Some of the more sophisticated units even have features that track the inventory of consumable items used within the lab (catheters, tubing, etc.), a useful tool for reordering when supplies run low.

There are many different models of hemodynamic monitoring and recording devices, the most common units are as follows:

• GE Mac-Lab
• Siemens Axiom Sensis
• Philips/Witt Xper Physiomonitoring Series or Xper Flex Cardio

There are other, less common units installed on labs around the world as well by manufacturers such as Mennen, McKesson, and Merge.

The Search for Hemodynamic Systems

Hemo systems are always available new from their manufacturers. Unfortunately, they carry a big price tag- typically around $115,000 for a basic unit from a smaller manufacturer all the way up to $250,000+ for a fully-loaded model from one of the major OEMs. The insight and utility hemo systems provide are worth every penny, but there are ways to get started for less and increase the ROI on your monitoring equipment.

Block Imaging can provide refurbished GE Mac-Lab hemodynamic systems at much lower rates. These systems are the most widely know on the market, with high stability and a wide selection of features. If you need electro physiology recording as well, the Mac-Lab can be combined with GE's CardioLab into a single unit. Depending on the features you'd like installed, refurbished Mac-Lab systems range between $35,000 and $75,000. A CardioLab costs between $50,000 and $95,000. Your cost includes installation and a one-year warranty.

Please be aware that most hemo manufacturers keep their products under proprietary lock and key when it comes to support. With the exception of the GE Mac-Lab, 3rd-party service is a rarity. While buying refurbished can save you significant cost up front you will, in many cases, be locked into OEM service costs.

The Takeaway

Hemodynamic monitoring and recording systems are essential tools in the cath and angio OR. Unfortunately, they can be pricey tools. There are ways, however, to get what you need without having to lay out top dollar up front. If you are in the market for a hemo device, a refurbished system might be a better solution. Use the button below to start the conversation and tell us about the features you're looking for.