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This study analyzed the learning curve effect when a new stroke thrombectomy program was initiated in a cardiac cath lab in close cooperation with neurologists and radiologists.Mechanical thrombectomy has proven to be the best treatment option for ischemic stroke patients, but this method is not widely available.An endovascular treatment program for acute ischemic strokes was established in the cardiac cath lab of a tertiary university hospital in 2012. The decision to perform catheter-based thrombectomy was made by a neurologist and was based on acute stroke clinical symptoms and computed tomography angiographic findings. Patients with a large vessel occlusion of either anterior or posterior circulation were enrolled. The primary endpoint was the functional neurological outcome (Modified Rankin Scale [mRS] score) of the patient at 3 months. A total of 333 patients were enrolled between October 2012 and December 2019.The clinical (mRS) outcomes did not vary significantly across years 2012 to 2019 (mRS 0 to 2 was achieved in 47.9% of patients). Symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage occurred in 19 patients (5.7%). Embolization in a new vascular territory occurred in 6 patients (1.8%).When a catheter-based thrombectomy program was initiated in an experienced cardiac cath lab in close cooperation between cardiologists, neurologists, and radiologists, outcomes were comparable to those of neuroradiology centers. The desired clinical results were achieved from the onset of the program, without any signs of a learning curve effect. These findings support the potential role of interventional cardiac cath labs in the treatment of acute stroke in regions where this therapy is not readily available due to the lack of neurointerventionalists.

This study sought to report outcomes from an efficiency improvement project in a large cardiac cath lab.Operational inefficiencies are common in the cath lab, yet solutions are challenging. A detailed report describing and providing solutions for these inefficiencies may be valuable in guiding improvements in productivity.In this observational study, the authors report metrics of efficiency before and after a cath lab quality improvement program in June 2014. Main outcomes included lab room start times, room turnaround times, laboratory use, and employee satisfaction. Time series analysis was used to assess trend over time. Chi-square testing and analysis of variance were used to assess change before and after the initiative.The principal changes included implementation of a pyramidal nursing schedule, increased use of an electronic scheduling system, and increased utilization of a preparation and recovery area. Comparing before with after the program, start times improved an average of 17 min, and on-time starts improved from 61.8% to 81.7% (p = 0.0024). Turnaround times improved from 20.5 min to 16.4 min (trend p 0.0001), and the proportion of days at full lab utilization improved from 7.7% to 77.3% (p 0.00001). There were no increases in overtime, night, or weekend cases. There was a reduction in full time employees from 36.1 in 2013 to 29.6 in 2016, with an improvement in employee satisfaction.A systematic approach to reducing inefficiencies can improve cath lab start times, turnaround times, and overall productivity. This knowledge may be helpful in assisting other cath labs in similar efficiency improvement initiatives.