“This is the second time I’ve had a cardiac catheterization and the big difference was not having to stay overnight upstairs in the hospital, which was very convenient,” explains Cardiac Radial Lounge patient Michael Ipavec. “It was easier to handle this time. Not having to be an inpatient was really good. I felt better knowing that I could probably, as long as all went well, come home the same day.” CMC’s new Cardiac Radial Lounge is designed for patients like Michael, who can have a catheterization via the radial approach (through a wrist artery). Their preparation and recovery takes place in our new Lounge. Patients are typically discharged the same day as the procedure.Instead of recovering on a nursing floor in a bed, the patient is seated in a comfortable lounge chair and monitored in the Lounge. “The staff was pleasant and accommodated my needs while I waited before and after the procedure. The Cardiac Radial Lounge approach seemed to work very well.” Interventional cardiologist Sylvia Yang, MD, the physician who performed the catheterization explains, “In the current era, we essentially attempt radial access for all patients for patient comfort, shorter recovery time and to avoid serious bleeding complications related to femoral access. With few exceptions, almost all patients are good candidates for radial lounge/same day discharge.”