Guidelines to establish and operate catheterization laboratories and hybrid operating rooms/hybrid laboratories (3rd edition 2015). 3rd edition 2015

Besides diagnostic heart catheterization and coronary interventions, numerous additional procedures are now performed in catheterization laboratories with special requirements for equipment and sequence of operations. The current third edition of the guidelines to establish and operate catheterization laboratories, hybrid operating rooms (OR) and hybrid laboratories gives recommendations with respect to these procedures, including invasive electrophysiology, implantation of rhythm devices and also with respect to catheter-based valve therapy, especially transcather aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Special aspects of hygiene and structural conditions, which are required for hybrid ORs and hybrid laboratories, are discussed. The guide-lines provide recommendations for planning a catheterization laboratory and hybrid OR as well as for operational aspects, which include legal regulations, hygiene requirements, structural architectural aspects and radiation safety. Furthermore, aspects of technical equipment, integration of modern three-dimensional imaging modalities, data management and workforce, including cardiac analgesia, are provided.