Cath Lab

The cardiac catheterization laboratory is used for diagnostic angiograms and percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). Cath labs have also seen expanding use in recent years for transcatheter structural heart procedures. Some hospitals also share these labs with other subspecialties for catheter-based procedures in electrophysiology (EP), interventional radiology, peripheral artery disease (PAD), carotid and neuro interventional procedures and vascular surgery.

Example of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) shown as part of the multimodality imaging capability on the Fujifilm CVIS.

IVUS-guided PCI reduces risks in patients with diabetes

PCI can be more challenging in high-risk patients presenting with diabetes and ACS. IVUS guidance was associated with improved outcomes among these patients compared to angiography guidance alone. 

Video interview with J.D. Corl, MD, explaining the use of the new E8 and Javelin Shockwave IVL catheters in PAD.

New balloonless IVL catheter offers an alternative to atherectomy in tight lesions, CTOs

J.D. Corl, MD, shared his experience using two new IVL catheters from Shockwave Medical to treat patients with heavily calcified peripheral arteries. He considers both new devices a significant upgrade. 

Newsweek ranked the 50 best heart hospitals in the world

Cardiologist demand is on the rise—can hospitals keep up?

Demand for inpatient and outpatient cardiology services is expected to increase significantly in the next decade, putting hospitals and health systems in a position where they need to plan ahead or risk falling behind. 

The Abbott Esprit BTK everolimus-eluting biosorbable scaffold system for below the knee peripheral artery disease on display at TCT 2024. Photo by Dave FornellTCTn 2024 DF

Bioresorbable BTK stent superior to ballon angioplasty at 2 years

Late-breaking data from the LIFE-BTK clinical trial showed that the Esprit BTK bioresorbable scaffold system offered better two-year outcomes than balloon angioplasty in severe peripheral artery disease (PAD) below the knee.

TTVR with Evoque device linked to substantial benefits after 1 year

New late-breaking data presented at TCT confirmed that the first FDA-approved TTVR system for TR is associated with a much better quality of life than medical therapy alone after one year.

Interventional cardiology procedure in a cath lab at Beaumont Hospital.

SCAI shares STEMI recommendations for cardiologists and cath labs

“This document represents a collective effort to refine and advance the standards of care in STEMI management," according to one cardiologist behind the project. 

Banner ASC in Sun City, Arizona.

Low doses of radiation still increase risk of leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma

A new study found cumulative radiation exposure of 16 mSv to red bone marrow can cause an increased rate of some hematological malignancies.

Pi-Cardia ShortCut TAVR device

FDA clears new device for valve-in-valve TAVR patients at risk of coronary obstruction

ShortCut, which gained the FDA’s breakthrough device designation back in January, is used to split valve leaflets and reduce the risk of obstruction.

Around the web

Ron Blankstein, MD, professor of radiology, Harvard Medical School, explains the use of artificial intelligence to detect heart disease in non-cardiac CT exams.

Eleven medical societies have signed on to a consensus statement aimed at standardizing imaging for suspected cardiovascular infections.

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