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.

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.
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.

The depth of left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) devices inside the LAA impacts outcomes. #LAAO

Mitigating risk: How the depth of device implantation impacts LAAO outcomes

Researchers examined data from more than 1,300 procedures, presenting their findings in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.

August 18, 2023

Alternative access approaches for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures. courtesy of Interventional Cardiology Review 2018;13(3):145–50.

Alternative TAVR techniques: How to proceed when transfemoral access is not recommended

A team of researchers from the United States and Sweden explored data from nearly 12,000 TAVR patients for a new systematic review and meta-analysis.

August 11, 2023

Video of Hari Naidu, MD, director of the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center of Excellence at Westchester Medical Center, explaining the role of alcohol septal ablation and surgical myectomy in the era of mavacamten. #HCM #ASE

Surgery, interventional therapies still the best choice for many HCM patients

"You have to look at each patient and understand their goals," one HCM expert said in a new interview.

August 9, 2023

Interventional cardiologists performing PCI

Colchicine before PCI: New research tracks the long-term impact on heart health

Researchers shared long-term follow-up data from the Colchicine-PCI trial, which compared colchicine administration before PCI with a placebo.

August 7, 2023

Peter Libby, MD, explains how infections cause heart attacks. This came out of research taking a close look at COVID, but the inflammation from any infection may cause increased inflammation of coronary plaques that cause heart attacks. #COVID #COVID19

Do infections cause heart attacks? Lessons from COVID

COVID-19 opened the eyes of many cardiology researchers that infections may promote inflammation in atherosclerotic plaques, leading to cardiac events.

August 2, 2023

The team that implanted the first TaurusTrio TAVR device at Beijing An Zhen Hospital, Capital Medical University in July 2023.

Chinese made version of JenaValve TAVR device implanted in first patient

The first patient was enrolled in a multicenter clinical trial for the TaurusTrio transcatheter aortic valve replacement system, used for aortic regurgitation.

August 1, 2023

Making cardiac catheterization labs (CCLs) more efficient less wasteful could go a long way toward reducing the large carbon footprint associated with healthcare, according to a new commentary published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.

How cath labs can limit waste and become more sustainable

Making cardiac catheterization labs more efficient and less wasteful could help reduce the large carbon footprint associated with healthcare, according to a new commentary published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.

July 24, 2023

USPSTF updates its stance on aspirin use to prevent CVD, sees no benefit for patients 60 or older.

Tracking patient outcomes after valve-in-valve TAVR, redo SAVR

It is becoming more and more important, researchers noted, to examine the lifetime management of patients who undergo aortic valve replacement.

July 12, 2023

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Cath Lab

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

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

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