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.

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Distal radial access consistently lowers risk of artery occlusion during PCI

The new meta-analysis, published in the American Journal of Cardiology, includes data from 16 different studies. 

Doctor patient with masks

Congenital heart disease increases risk of poor COVID-19 outcomes, including death

Researchers examined data from more than 235,000 hospitalized patients treated in the United States.

When infective endocarditis after TAVR is most likely to be fatal

Researchers reviewed data from more than 900 patients, sharing their research in the American Journal of Cardiology.

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Researchers review PCI outcomes, find little evidence of a ‘July effect’ in interventional cardiology

New trainees may not necessarily lead to a higher risk of medical errors during PCI.

The Edwards Lifesciences Sapien transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) device in a heart model used to show patients how the device works.

TAVR associated with lower healthcare costs than surgery

Researchers examined Medicare data from 2016 to 2018, presenting their findings in Circulation: Cardiovascular Interventions

Recurrent MR after TEER: Tracking data from nearly 700 MitraClip patients

The new analysis focused on both primary and secondary MR 12 months after TEER. 

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Abbott implantable heart failure monitor gains expanded FDA approval

An estimated 1.2 million additional patients are now candidates for the company's small CardioMEMs HF monitor. 

healthcare value value-based care money dollar

Boston Scientific finalizes acquisition of Baylis Medical with $1.75B payment

The deal, first announced in October 2021, expands Boston Scientific’s structural heart disease and electrophysiology portfolios by a significant margin. 

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.