Dr. Mark Midei, Cath Lab Director at St. Joseph Medical Center, Talks About the ACIST CMS

What™s your experience with the ACIST CMS? I think we were among the first labs to use it. We have embraced the ACIST CMS system since the day it was invented, and use it in all of our labs exclusively. We find it speeds up the cases and makes injecting contrast safer. Do you utilize the Isovue 370 Multipack®? We use 500 cc bottles, and we use one bottle for multiple cases. After so many years using ACIST, what conclusions have you drawn about the system? The ACIST injector is better in all ways. It virtually prohibits the possibility of air embolism, because  of the built-in air column detector. It enables a very precise record of how much contrast is used, and it enables us to use large bottles for multiple cases, which saves on contrast costs. The ACIST facilitates the performance of multiple large cavity injections or high-volume injections, without reconnecting. We love the device. It frees up your hands during complex intervention. What about image quality? Image quality is great. I prefer it. What has been the impact on cath lab professionals in your lab? A lot of labs are noticing some turnover of personnel because there is a national shortage of  nurses and techs that work in cath labs. I find that there is a much quicker learning curve with the ACIST device than with a conventional three-port manifold. When we have new people, it™s easier for  them to pick up the ACIST than it is a three-port manifold. It™s also safer; we don™t have to watch them  as closely. Most of the more experienced people find that it enables them to do more complex things and use their skills where they are most needed rather than doing simple instrumentation of a manifold.

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