General Information

The Certificate in Cath Lab Technician program at Mahatma Gandhi Ayurvigyan Vidyapeeth trains students in cardiac diagnostic and interventional procedures. The curriculum covers cardiac catheterization principles, equipment maintenance, sterilization protocols, and vital sign monitoring. Students acquire practical competencies through clinical practicum, preparing them to assist cardiologists and healthcare teams effectively during complex cardiovascular interventions within specialized catheterization laboratories.

1. Course Duration: 1 Year
2. Minimum Qualification: 10+2 with Science stream
3. Course Category: PARAMEDICAL
4. Total Marks: 600 (Theory 600, 6 subjects)

Course Objectives

• Impart fundamental knowledge of cardiac anatomy, physiology, and basic cardiac catheterization principles.
• Train students in the safe operation, calibration, and routine maintenance of specialized cath lab equipment.
• Teach rigorous infection control, radiation safety protocols, and sterile field maintenance in interventional environments.
• Develop practical skills for real-time patient monitoring and assisting cardiologists during invasive diagnostic procedures.

Learning Outcomes

• Operate and maintain essential cardiac catheterization equipment safely during invasive procedures.
• Implement standard aseptic techniques, radiation safety measures, and infection prevention protocols.
• Monitor and document patient hemodynamic parameters and vital signs accurately during catheterization.
• Prepare sterile instrument trays and assist physicians efficiently during cardiac diagnostic tests.
• Recognize equipment faults, procedural complications, and execute standard emergency response procedures.

Pass & Division Criteria

The maximum marks and minimum pass marks of Theory and Practical of each subject are given in the Mark Distribution table below. To pass, a candidate must score the minimum pass marks separately in both Theory and Practical of every subject.

The division is decided on the aggregate percentage of marks obtained, as follows —

Mark Distribution

Total marks of the course : 600

Detailed Syllabus

1. Cardiovascular Anatomy and Coronary Circulation — Study heart chambers, major vessels, coronary arterial circulation, conduction pathways, and cardiac cycle related to invasive diagnostic cardiology procedures.
2. Basic Principles of Invasive Hemodynamics — Understand normal intracardiac pressure waveforms, pressure gradients, vascular resistance calculations, and standard recording techniques during diagnostic cardiac catheterization.
3. Indications and Contraindications for Catheterization — Learn clinical indications, absolute contraindications, relative risks, and comprehensive pre-procedure evaluations for both adult and pediatric patients undergoing catheterization.
4. Diagnostic Angiography Techniques and Views — Understand standard fluoroscopic projections, cranial and caudal angulations, coronary artery visualization techniques, and basic ventriculography interpretation protocols.
5. Vascular Access Routes and Techniques — Study transfemoral, transradial, and brachial puncture sites, Modified Seldinger technique, ultrasound-guided access principles, and post-puncture vascular management protocols.
6. Contrast Media Characteristics and Pharmacology — Cover properties of iodinated contrast agents, ionic versus non-ionic formulations, contrast-induced nephropathy prevention, and common cardiac emergency drugs.
7. Hemodynamic Calculations and Cardiac Output — Explore calculation of cardiac output using Fick principle and thermodilution methods, along with valve area and cardiac shunt calculations.
8. Complications in Cardiac Catheterization — Identify common intra-procedural complications including coronary dissection, perforation, arrhythmias, vascular spasm, hypotension, and basic emergency response protocols.

1. C-Arm Fluoroscopy System Architecture — Learn main components of digital C-arm units, X-ray tube construction, flat-panel detectors, image intensifiers, and motorized table positioning mechanisms.
2. Hemodynamic Monitoring Systems — Understand multichannel physiological monitors, pressure transducers, calibration protocols, ECG lead configurations, pulse oximetry, and invasive pressure signal acquisition.
3. Automated Contrast Power Injectors — Study operation of automatic contrast injectors, setting flow rates, volume thresholds, pressure limits, syringe loading, and purging air bubbles safely.
4. Diagnostic Catheters and Guide Wires — Learn types, shapes, French sizes, and torque responses of diagnostic coronary catheters, exchange wires, microcatheters, and hydrophilic guidewires.
5. Interventional Hardware Selection and Preparation — Study balloon angioplasty catheters, coronary stents, guide extension catheters, aspiration thrombectomy devices, and preparation techniques for interventional hardware.
6. Intravascular Imaging Systems Handling — Understand setup, calibration, catheter pullback mechanisms, and maintenance of Intravascular Ultrasound and Optical Coherence Tomography imaging systems.
7. Fractional Flow Reserve Consoles — Learn setup and handling of pressure wire systems, console normalization, hyperemia agent administration protocols, and microvascular resistance measurement equipment.
8. Temporary Pacemaker and Defibrillator Units — Study operation, testing, and connection of external temporary pacemaker generators, biphasic defibrillators, pacing leads, and resuscitation crash cart components.
9. Equipment Maintenance and Troubleshooting — Cover daily calibration routines, quality assurance testing, identifying hardware errors, basic troubleshooting steps, and scheduled preventive maintenance documentation.

1. Aseptic Principles in Cardiac Catheterization — Learn principles of surgical asepsis, creation and preservation of sterile fields, sterile draping protocols, and cath lab air handling standards.
2. Sterilization Methods and Quality Assurance — Explore autoclaving, ethylene oxide gas sterilization, hydrogen peroxide plasma systems, chemical indicators, biological monitors, and sterile pack storage standards.
3. Surgical Scrubbing, Gowning, and Gloving — Master recommended surgical hand scrubbing techniques, alcohol rub protocols, sterile gowning, closed-glove donning, and avoidance of intraoperative contamination.
4. Radiation Physics and Protection Guidelines — Understand ALARA principles, radiation inverse square law, scatter radiation distribution, time-distance-shielding concepts, and permissible annual dose limits for personnel.
5. Radiation Shielding Devices and Monitoring — Learn usage and care of lead aprons, thyroid collars, lead acrylic shields, table skirts, and personal thermo-luminescent dosimeter badge protocols.
6. Infection Control and Environmental Hygiene — Understand hospital infection prevention protocols, surface disinfection routines, airborne isolation controls, standard precautions, and management of bloodborne pathogen exposures.
7. Biomedical Waste Management Protocols — Study national biomedical waste segregation guidelines, color-coded bin classification, safe disposal of sharps, and handling contaminated catheterization consumables.
8. Electrical and Fire Safety Standards — Learn cath lab grounding standards, microshock prevention, medical gas cylinder safety, fire extinguisher operations, and electrical hazard emergency response protocols.

1. Pre-Procedural Patient Preparation and Verification — Understand patient identification protocols, consent verification, fasting status, skin site preparation, baseline vital signs recording, and pre-medication administration check.
2. Sterile Trolley Setup and Instrumentation — Learn sterile table layout, manifold system assembly, flushing lines, preparing pressure bags, heparinized saline solutions, and loading diagnostic catheter trays.
3. Assisting in Vascular Access Puncture — Study technician roles during radial and femoral artery punctures, needle handling, guidewire feeding, introducer sheath insertion, and access maintenance.
4. Assisting in Diagnostic Angiography Procedures — Learn manifold operation, syringe aspirating and flushing protocols, selective coronary catheter engagement assistance, and contrast injection coordination with fluoroscopy.
5. Assisting in Percutaneous Coronary Interventions — Study technical assistance during guidewire crossing, balloon pre-dilation, stent delivery, inflation device operation, and post-dilation balloon sizing protocols.
6. Assisting in Pacemaker Implantation Procedures — Understand sterile setup, lead testing assistance, threshold measurement logging, pulse generator pocket preparation, and post-implant wound dressing support.
7. Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump Setup Support — Learn catheter insertion assistance, console connection, helium tank checking, ECG and pressure triggering synchronization, and basic alarm recognition during support.
8. Post-Procedure Hemostasis and Sheath Removal — Master manual compression techniques, mechanical clamp application, vascular closure device assistance, pressure dressing application, and monitoring for puncture hematomas.
9. Emergency Management and Resuscitation Assistance — Explore technician support during cardiac arrest, assisting in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, rhythm recognition, synchronized cardioversion, and emergency transvenous pacing support.

1. Introduction to Hemodynamic and Vital Signs Monitoring — Learn basic concepts of baseline vital sign assessment, continuous physiological data logging, monitoring instruments, and role in patient safety during interventional procedures.
2. Continuous Electrocardiogram Monitoring and Rhythm Interpretation — Study electrode placement, multi-lead rhythm recognition, detection of lethal arrhythmias, conduction abnormalities, and ST-segment changes during diagnostic and interventional cath lab procedures.
3. Invasive Blood Pressure Monitoring Systems — Understand arterial line setups, pressure transducers, zeroing and calibration procedures, arterial waveforms, damping artifacts, and continuous direct arterial pressure tracking during interventions.
4. Non-Invasive Hemodynamic Parameters Assessment — Study non-invasive blood pressure measurement principles, automated cuff management, pulse oximetry, photoplethysmography, oxygen saturation trends, and troubleshooting common signal interference issues.
5. Intracardiac Pressure Recording and Waveform Analysis — Cover pressure tracing of right atrium, right ventricle, pulmonary artery, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure interpretations.
6. Capnography and Respiratory Status Monitoring — Understand end-tidal carbon dioxide monitoring, capnogram waveform interpretation, airway management tracking, and early detection of respiratory depression in sedated cardiac patients.
7. Neurological and Sedation Level Monitoring — Learn conscious sedation scales, neurological assessment methods, evaluation of patient responsiveness, pupil checks, and monitoring for signs of acute intraprocedural cerebrovascular accidents.
8. Fluid Balance, Temperature, and Metabolic Monitoring — Study intraprocedural fluid balance recording, core temperature regulation, point-of-care blood gas analysis, electrolyte balance, blood glucose, and activated clotting time tracking.
9. Emergency Alarms, Artifacts, and Technical Troubleshooting — Review alarm configuration, threshold management, electrical interference recognition, baseline drift rectification, transducer cable failure identification, and rapid resolution of monitoring errors.
10. Post-Procedure Hemodynamic Surveillance and Sheath Removal — Study continuous monitoring protocols in recovery areas, tracking vasovagal reactions, hematoma identification, peripheral pulse checks, and monitoring during arterial and venous sheath removal.

1. Cath Lab Environment and Sterile Protocol Adherence — Study operational flow within catheterization suites, surgical scrubbing techniques, gowning, gloving, sterile field creation, infection control compliance, and sterile barrier preservation protocols.
2. Pre-Procedural Patient Preparation and Checklist Verification — Understand patient identification verification, informed consent confirmation, fasting status validation, pre-medication administration checks, vascular access site preparation, and allergy documentation protocols.
3. Radiation Protection Equipment and Safety Protocols — Learn personal protective equipment inspection, lead apron integrity testing, thyroid shields usage, dosimeter monitoring, ALARA principle compliance, and proper positioning during fluoroscopy.
4. Angiography Equipment Preparation and Table Operations — Study fluoroscopic C-arm movement, patient positioning, injector syringe loading, high-pressure tubing connection, imaging acquisition modes, and operational table safety controls management.
5. Catheters, Guidewires, and Sheath Handling Techniques — Cover identification, flushing, prep work, and handling of vascular introducer sheaths, diagnostic catheters, coronary guidewires, manifold systems, and balloon dilatation catheters.
6. Contrast Media Management and Extravasation Prevention — Understand preparation of ionic and non-ionic radiopaque contrast agents, automated power injector setup, volume tracking, allergy response readiness, and contrast extravasation protocols.
7. Scrub Assistant Duties During Angiography Procedures — Learn procedural assistance protocols, handing sterile instruments, manifold operation, flushing catheters with heparinized saline, tracking waste fluids, and maintaining sterile field integrity.
8. Assisting in Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Procedures — Study technical assistance during balloon angioplasty, stent preparation, crimping verification, balloon inflation device operation, deployment pressure recording, and post-dilation catheter exchange.
9. Management of Cath Lab Medical Emergencies — Learn clinical support duties during cardiac arrest, contrast reactions, vessel perforation, acute thrombosis, pericardiocentesis, temporary pacemaker insertion, and intra-aortic balloon pump initiation.
10. Post-Intervention Access Site Hemostasis and Management — Understand manual compression techniques, vascular closure device deployment assistance, pressure bandage application, radial band monitoring, and post-procedure access site observation protocols.
11. Waste Disposal, Sterilization, and Suite Turnover Protocols — Study biomedical waste segregation, disposal of sharps, reusable instrument disinfection, enzymatic washing, autoclave sterilization, and rapid turnaround maintenance of the cath lab suite.