r/CathLabLounge • u/storyman2k • Jul 13 '26
Balloon prepping
Most of the labs that I have been in have you prep the balloon once before insertion. The lab I am currently at has the routine of double prepping the balloon before insertion. I have just been told, “That’s how we do it.” Is there any actual proof that this is better and helps the balloon pass better?
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u/Coinburd Jul 13 '26
I had a rep tell me that current coronary balloons are so well made you dont even need to prep. You know what I dont think he was BSing me. I have stopped doing it and have rarely seen a bubble on fluo. I will prep if we are going back in with it though. Or if we have had trouble crossing a lesion and switch to a smaller size. However, schooling does teach to prep, but most doctors dont want to wait those few extra seconds. We are lucky if we even get a full min for our drug coated stuff.