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.

Women remain underrepresented in revascularization trials—can cardiology leaders reverse that trend?

“If together we do not just hope for, but demand, adequate representation as a necessary criterion for high-quality studies worthy of adoption into practice, we will have a real shot at achieving true equity in our trials," cardiologists said in a new commentary.

money business cash flow dollar

Medical device company raises $87M to study new-look scaffolds for BTK PAD

R3 Vascular also announced that Christopher M. Owens, a veteran of the medical device industry, is its new president and CEO. 

PCI interventional cardiology

Radial vs. femoral access during PCI: Real-world data show proof of a ‘sea change’ in cardiology

The use of radial access during PCI procedures is increasing throughout the United States, and new data presented at the SCAI's annual meeting suggest that could be beneficial for patients. 

Abbott's Espirit BTK Everolimus Eluting Resorbable Scaffold gained U.S. FDA approval in April 2024. It is based on the former Abbott Absorb coronary stent, but indicated for use in peripheral artery lesions below the knee (BTK).

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 ICE Aspiration System

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. 

TAVR JenaValve Trilogy Heart Valve System pure AR

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.

Cardiologist heart

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. 

Around the web

Tom Price, MD, former secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), said one way to address the growing shortage of physicians is to expand medical resident positions, but these are tied to Medicare spending so alternative means may be needed.

"Domestic radiopharmaceutical suppliers, who receive isotopes from abroad, would be impacted by price changes and uncertainty caused by additional tariffs,” SNMMI President Cathy Cutler, PhD, wrote in a letter to the U.S. Department of Commerce this week.