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.

FDA approves Abbott’s resorbable stent for BTK arteries
The bioresorbable stent, examined at length for the LIFE-BTK clinical trial, stays in place for up to three years before completely dissolving.
FDA clears new catheter for peripheral blood clots
The new-look catheter came out of a medical device incubator started by entrepreneur Eitan Konstantino, PhD, who has years of experience in the vascular space.
Cardiologists make history, perform first-ever transcaval TAVR for pure aortic regurgitation
The 65-year-old male patient presented with a long medical history and many comorbidities, making surgery too risky.
Q&A: Interventional cardiologist details key breakthroughs in tricuspid valve replacement and repair
How have recent FDA approvals for Edwards Lifesciences and Abbott changed patient care? Andrew Rassi, MD, answered that question—and many more—in a new interview.
ACC.24: New data suggest early PCI limits risks of vulnerable plaques—cardiologists are skeptical
The PREVENT study, presented at ACC.24, examined more than 1,600 patients with high-risk plaques treated with either preventive PCI or medical therapy alone. Outcomes were much better for the PCI group after two years, but the findings may lead to more questions than answers.

The long legal saga of Richard Paulus, a Kentucky cardiologist accused of performing unnecessary cardiac procedures, appears to still be going strong in 2022 and might be reviewed by the Supreme Court. The New York state radiologist is facing 36 misdemeanor counts for secret sexual recording without consent, according to a story in the Boston Herald.

Cardiologist ordered to pay $2.6M after foreign material left in patient’s femoral artery

The patient's leg remains disfigured years after the incident.

June 1, 2023

The EnCompass Technologies F2 embolic filter device is designed to limit the risk of stroke and other severe brain injuries during TAVR.

Interventional cardiologists perform world’s first TAVR with new embolic protection device

The device, designed with improved filtration and stability in mind, is now being investigated as part of a new pilot study.

June 1, 2023

Treating elderly atrial fibrillation (AFib) patients—even those who are traditionally ineligible for direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs)—with a very low dose of edoxaban is associated with improved outcomes, according to new research published in JAMA Network Open.

TAVR among 90-year-old patients: An updated look at mortality, hospital costs and more

In-hospital mortality and other key outcomes have improved in recent years, but treating these older patients is still associated with certain challenges.

May 30, 2023

Get Ready: CT-guided PCI Is Coming to a Cath Lab Near You

Sponsored by GE Healthcare

Change is on the horizon for cath labs all over the world as more and more interventional cardiologists are starting to use coronary CT angiography to plan and guide PCI procedures. Patients, physicians, catheterization labs and healthcare systems all stand to gain from this growing trend.

May 23, 2023

Innovation in the cath lab: Cardiologists develop, perform new interventional heart procedure

Interventional cardiologists in Detroit developed the new technique with a specific patient in mind. One specialist described it as an "exciting breakthrough."

May 16, 2023

Mitral Valve Surgery from the University of Washington

Cardiologists make history, removing device and implanting new valve in first heart procedure of its kind

“I was ready to make out my will, so this came along just at the right time,” the 76-year-old patient said.

May 15, 2023

Data on a next-generation balloon-expandable transcatheter heart valve from Edwards Lifesciences, includes a new frame, new skirt and RESILIA bovine pericardial leaflets. It is currently known as the SAPIEN X4 valve.

Next-gen TAVR valve, tested on patients for very first time, linked to high success rate

A new-look TAVR valve was tested on patients for the first time, leading researchers to say its use appears to be "feasible and safe." More research, of course, is still required.

May 12, 2023

artificial intelligence AI deep learning

AI model predicts LVEF during routine coronary angiograms

The video-based deep neural network showed potential for limiting invasive exams and improving patient care.

May 10, 2023

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Cath Lab

FDA approves Abbott’s resorbable stent for BTK arteries

FDA clears new catheter for peripheral blood clots

Cardiologists make history, perform first-ever transcaval TAVR for pure aortic regurgitation

Q&A: Interventional cardiologist details key breakthroughs in tricuspid valve replacement and repair

ACC.24: New data suggest early PCI limits risks of vulnerable plaques—cardiologists are skeptical

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