The Rivera Advanced Interventions and Catheterization Lab is the first Cath Lab in Davao del Norte.
Held at Rivera Medical Center, the central theme of this event was “A Calling Through Generations: The Pursuit of Purpose Through Excellence in Cardiovascular Care.”
The event was graced by distinguished guests and public officials from Panabo City. Panabo Vice Mayor Franklin D. Gentiles joined Dr. Ramon Meliton Rivera in the ceremonial ribbon cutting to officially open its state-of-the-art catheterization laboratory.
TL;DR
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Rivera Medical Center (RMCI) launched the first Cath Lab in Davao del Norte with a soft opening on June 13, 2025, featuring the first successful coronary angioplasty in the region.
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The Cath Lab is equipped with advanced imaging technology to diagnose and treat heart conditions like ischemic heart disease, the leading cause of death in the Philippines.
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Current procedures at RMCI’s Cath Lab are coronary angiogram, IVC filter insertion, percutaneous coronary intervention, stenting of coronary arteries, and angioplasty of coronary arteries.
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Coronary angioplasty, performed in this lab, mechanically widens narrowed arteries and often includes stent placement to improve blood flow and heart function. The procedure involves artery access, catheter navigation, balloon inflation, and stent deployment to treat blockages that cause angina or heart attacks.
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RMCI’s Cath Lab aims to provide affordable, high-quality cardiovascular care for patients in Davao del Norte and nearby cities.
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This development signifies RMCI’s growth from a small clinic founded in 1957 to a major healthcare institution dedicated to serving the region.
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The new Cath Lab offers residents access to advanced, minimally invasive heart treatments, improving survival and quality of life
Representatives from Region IX’s Department of Health, led by Dr. Janis V. Olavides (Medical officer IV of DOH XI), fellow doctors in the region, and other industry partners were also present to witness the unfolding of a new chapter in cardiovascular care in Davao del Norte.
Dr. Dave Maniwang, RMCI’s Chief of Clinics provided the opening remarks. Dr. Ramon Meliton’s own family of doctors, Dr. Zenaida M. Rivera, Dr. Ron Daniel M. Rivera, Dr. Anna Mariel T. Rivera, Dr. Ramon Miguel M. Rivera, and Dr. Princess Michelle G. Rivera, were present to witness this milestone.
First Cath Lab in Davao del Norte
Advanced cardiovascular care
RMCI’s Catheterization Laboratory is the first Cath Lab in Davao del Norte.
RMCI did a soft launch of the Cath Lab on June 13, 2025, where interventional cardiologists Dr. Dan Brian P. Galang and Dr. Rafael A. Tagayuna performed the first successful coronary angioplasty in RMCI and in Davao del Norte.
Today, RMCI can now provide more advanced diagnostic and treatment options for different heart conditions.
Indeed, advanced cardiovascular services are highly needed in Davao de Norte due to the continuous increase of ischemic heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in the Philippines.
As Dr. Ramon Meliton Rivera pointed out during his brief speech, RMCI’s brand new laboratory aims to provide the most affordable yet high-quality medical care so they can serve those in the region who are in genuine need.
In his brief speech, Dr. Ramon Meliton Rivera cited Psalm 127 to give God credit as the true builder of RMCI’s legacy. The hospital started as a small clinic in Panabo City founded by Dr. Emilio Rivera way back in 1957.
Because of God’s favor, the clinic eventually grew into a hospital with better facilities, equipment, and specialists to help patients in Davao del Norte.
Today, RMCI is an institution of healthcare in Davao del Norte. The launching of RMCI’s Cath Lab in Davao del Norte marks another milestone in the hospital’s mission of “Serving God. Serving People.”
What Is a Catheterization Laboratory (Cath Lab)?
A catheterization laboratory, commonly known as a Cath lab, is a specialized hospital or clinic room equipped with advanced imaging technology used for diagnosing and treating heart conditions.
A Cath Lab houses high-resolution X-ray equipment that helps cardiologists visualize coronary arteries and heart chambers in real-time.
Led by Dr. Ramon Miguel M. Rivera, The Rivera Advanced Interventions and Catheterization Lab includes interventional cardiologists who perform the procedure, cardiac physiologists who monitor physiological parameters such as blood pressure and ECG during the intervention, radiographers who handle imaging, and nurses who assist the process throughout.
The environment inside this Cath Lab in Davao del Norte is designed to enable procedures like coronary angioplasty, stent placements, and other catheter-based interventions with precision and safety.
State-of-the-art Cath Lab in Davao del Norte
RMCI’s Catheterization Laboratory is well-equipped to perform coronary angioplasty and other heart-related procedures for residents of Davao del Norte.
Coronary Angioplasty is a vital medical procedure used to restore blood flow through narrowed or blocked coronary arteries, which supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle.
It is a minimally invasive intervention designed to improve heart function and reduces symptoms of coronary artery disease, significantly impacting a patient’s quality of life and survival odds in critical situations.
Available Cath Lab Procedures
Coronary Angiogram
A coronary angiogram is a diagnostic procedure used by RMCI’s interventional cardiologists in Davao del Norte for visualizing blood flow in the coronary arteries. This procedure uses X-rays and contrast dye to detect blockages or narrowing in the heart’s blood vessels. Here is a brief rundown of this procedure.
- A catheter is inserted into an artery in the arm.
- The catheter is guided to the heart under X-ray guidance.
- Contrast dye is injected through the catheter into the coronary arteries.
- X-ray images (angiograms) show blood flow and identify any blockages.
- The procedure usually lasts 30 to 60 minutes.
- Patients may receive a mild sedative but remain awake.
- Preparation includes fasting for several hours before the test.
- Risks include bleeding, allergic reaction to dye, or artery damage, but complications are rare.
At RMCI, this test is critical in diagnosing coronary artery disease and planning treatments such as angioplasty or surgery (Mayo Clinic, 2023; Cleveland Clinic, 2025; Mount Sinai, 2024).
Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI)
Percutaneous Coronary Intervention or PCI is a minimally invasive procedure used by RMCI’s interventional cardiologists in Davao del Norte to open narrowed or blocked coronary arteries and restore blood flow. In medical terminology, PCI is a broad term for all minimally invasive procedures done to open blocked coronary arteries. In advanced medical institutions, the scope of PCI includes the used of tools like stent implantation, rotational atherectomy, and laser angioplasty. Here is a brief description of PCI.
- Done in a catheterization lab using X-ray imaging.
- Local anesthesia and mild sedation are administered; patients are awake.
- A sheath is inserted into a blood vessel (wrist or groin).
- A catheter is threaded to the heart and guided to the blocked artery.
- Contrast dye identifies the blockage location.
- A guidewire crosses the blockage.
- Balloon angioplasty inflates a balloon inside the artery to widen it.
- Often, a stent is inserted and expanded to keep the artery open.
- PCI offers quicker recovery compared to bypass surgery and reduces symptoms like chest pain (Yale Medicine, 2025).
Stenting of Coronary Arteries
At RMCI’s Cath Lab, stenting is often performed during PCI to maintain artery patency after angioplasty. This is important for keeping the affected coronary artery open so that blood would continue to flow to the heart. Here are the steps used in this procedure.
- A stent is a small metal mesh tube.
- Inserted on a balloon catheter that is guided to the blockage site.
- When the balloon inflates, the stent expands and presses the plaque against artery walls.
- The stent remains in place permanently to support the artery.
- Many stents are drug-eluting, releasing medication to reduce the risk of restenosis (re-narrowing).
- Stenting effectively reduces the risk of artery closure and improves blood flow, relieving symptoms and preventing heart attacks (Mayo Clinic, 2023; MedlinePlus, 2024).
Angioplasty of Coronary Arteries
Coronary angioplasty is a minimally invasive procedure done by RMCI’s interventional cardiologists in Davao del Norte to open coronary arteries blocked or narrowed by plaque. Here are some details about this procedure.
- Often referred to as percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), this specific technique used a balloon to dilate the artery
- Performed under local anesthesia with sedation.
- A catheter with a small balloon is inserted through an artery (through the wrist, or sometimes through the leg).
- The balloon is positioned in the narrowed artery segment and inflated.
- Inflating compresses plaque against artery walls, widening the vessel.
- Balloon inflation may be repeated to optimize artery opening.
- Following angioplasty, a stent is frequently placed to keep the artery open.
- This procedure improves blood flow, reduces chest pain, and lowers heart attack risk.
- Recovery time is shorter compared to surgical options (MedlinePlus, 2024; SingHealth, 2015).
RMCI’s Cath Lab also performed the first successful IVC filter insertion in Davao del Norte.
Protocol for Patients who would undergo a Cath Lab procedure
Why Coronary Angioplasty Important?
The development of coronary artery disease (CAD) often stems from atherosclerosis, where cholesterol and fatty deposits accumulate on arterial walls forming plaque.
This buildup narrows the arteries, restricting blood flow and raising the risk of heart attacks. When plaque ruptures, it can form blood clots, causing further blockage.
Coronary angioplasty, sometimes combined with stent placement, mechanically opens these narrowed vessels, allowing blood to flow more freely to give ample nourishment to the heart muscle.
This procedure is crucial not only for relieving symptoms such as chest pain (angina) but also for emergency treatment in heart attack cases.
Rapid restoration of blood flow by angioplasty during a heart attack minimizes heart muscle damage and improves survival chances.
After the artery is widened, a stent—the small wire mesh tube—is often left in place to keep the artery open and reduce the risk of re-narrowing.
Modern stents frequently contain medicine that helps prevent new blockages in the arteries from forming.
Conditions Requiring Coronary Angioplasty
Coronary angioplasty is primarily recommended for patients diagnosed with coronary artery disease who exhibit symptoms that do not improve with medication or lifestyle changes. These conditions include:
- Atherosclerosis with significant artery blockage: When plaque buildup severely restricts blood flow.
- Angina: Persistent or worsening chest pain due to inadequate blood supply to the heart.
- Heart attack (myocardial infarction): To open blocked arteries promptly and restore blood flow to prevent heart muscle death.
- Cases where rapid treatment is necessary, and coronary artery bypass surgery may not be an immediate option.
However, coronary angioplasty is not suitable for everyone. Cardiologists may not recommend it for patients with complex or multiple blockages.
Patients with severe underlying health conditions such as diabetes, or weakened heart muscle may instead be recommended coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), which creates new pathways for blood flow using vessels from elsewhere in the body.
The Coronary Angioplasty Procedure
Inside Rivera Medical Center’s Cath Lab in Davao del Norte, coronary angioplasty is generally performed under local anesthesia, where the patient remains awake but sedated. The steps of the procedure include:
- Accessing the artery: The cardiologist makes a small incision in an accessible artery, usually in the groin, wrist, or arm. A sheath—a small tube—is inserted to keep the artery open during the procedure.
- Catheter insertion: A thin, flexible tube called a catheter is guided through the sheath and navigated through the arterial system to the heart using live X-ray imaging.
- Locating the blockage: A contrast dye is injected through the catheter to highlight the artery on the imaging screen, allowing the cardiologist to identify the narrowed or blocked section.
- Crossing the blockage: A very thin wire is passed through the catheter and carefully maneuvered across the blockage.
- Balloon dilation: A tiny balloon mounted on the catheter is advanced to the blockage site. The balloon is inflated, compressing the fatty plaques against the artery walls to widen the vessel and improve blood flow. This may be repeated several times.
- Stent placement: Often, a stent mounted on the balloon catheter is positioned at the blockage. When the balloon inflates, the stent expands and locks in place, holding the artery open permanently.
- Verification: The cardiologist injects more contrast dye to confirm that the artery remains wide open.
- Conclusion: The balloon, catheter, guidewire, and sheath are removed. The incision site is closed using pressure or a small dissolvable plug to stop bleeding.
The entire procedure can take from 30 minutes to a few hours depending on complexity. Patients treated for stable angina may go home the same or next day, while those treated emergently for heart attacks might stay longer for monitoring.
After the procedure, patients are advised to avoid strenuous activity for a week or so while the artery heals.
A new chapter in cardiology for Davao del Norte
Coronary angioplasty is a cornerstone treatment for coronary artery disease, offering significant relief from symptoms and lifesaving intervention during heart attacks.
RMCI’s top-notch Catheterization Laboratory gives residents of Davao del Norte better chances to address ischemic heart disease and any critical heart conditions.
RMCI’s cardiologists can now address arterial blockages by mechanically widening vessels and supporting them with stents to maintain blood flow.
This new Cath Lab in Davao del Norte provides the necessary environment and technology to safely perform this procedure under live imaging guidance.
Patients from Panabo City, Tagum City, and other municipalities in Davao del Norte can truly benefit from improved heart function, reduced chest pain, and enhanced survival due to minimally invasive and effective treatment.
Sources: World Health Organization (WHO), Philippine Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Statistics Authority, British Heart Foundation, Chinatown Cardiology, Cleveland Clinic, Hennepin Healthcare, Mayo Clinic, National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), NHS, Philippine Heart Center
