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Atrium Health Navicent is a national leader in state-of-the-art cardiovascular care. We provide a full range of procedures and tests within our facility, including those indicated for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cardiac disease. Our board-certified cardiologists are committed to providing the best possible care, and treatment plans are tailored for each patient, allowing them to be at the center of their treatment decisions.
The cardiac catheterization lab (heart cath lab), the vascular lab and the Acute Recovery Unit (ARU) are all located on the second floor of the Luce Heart Tower.
The Acute Recovery Unit (ARU) is where cath and vascular patients come to be prepped and monitored before their procedures. The nurse will ensure the patient has the appropriate consents and paperwork completed and signed. The clinical technician will assist the nurse in placing the patient on a monitor, shaving the patient (if necessary) and making the patient as comfortable as possible while they wait. Also, some physicians may order medications or diagnostic tests for the patient to have before their procedure. The nurse will ensure that all orders have been completed.
Most patients also return to ARU after the procedure to recover. Many patients have position limitations for a certain time period following the procedure and may be on bed rest. The nurse will closely monitor the patient’s vital signs, as well as surgical site to ensure no bleeding or signs of hematoma are present. The physician will determine if a patient can be discharged home or if they need to stay overnight for monitoring. If the patient is required to stay, they will wait in ARU until a hospital bed is assigned to them. Prior to discharge, patients are given specific post-procedure instructions and follow up information (if applicable).