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 clears first large-bore, vacuum-assisted pulmonary embolism thrombectomy system
The Symphony Thrombectomy System eliminates tradeoffs between two priorities—leveraging large-bore power and ease of use vs. efficiently reducing clot burden and delivering improved speed.
Seeing is believing: New cath lab technology takes coronary stent visualization to the next level
The technologies and tools of the cardiac catheterization lab have evolved in recent years, allowing interventionalists to perform procedures with more precision than ever. Angiographic imaging, meanwhile, has remained relatively consistent—but that is all starting to change.
GE HealthCare launches ‘ultra-premium’ Vivid Pioneer cardiovascular ultrasound system
The company describes Vivid Pioneer as its “most advanced, ultra-premium and adaptive cardiovascular ultrasound system yet.” It includes new and improved AI capabilities and a compact design that is still fully functional in tight workspaces.
How to prepare for cath lab complications
“It is your responsibility to be the patient’s advocate,” one expert explained. “We, as the nurses and technologists, have to speak up when we see something that isn’t right.”
FDA announces new recall of reprocessed EP catheters due to risk of contamination
Customers with these devices on hand are asked to return them right away. No serious injuries have been reported at this time, but the presence of residual particulates can lead to such side effects as pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted 510(k) clearance for the first large-bore continuous vacuum-assisted system to treat pulmonary embolism (PE). The Symphony Thrombectomy System from Imperative Care Inc. enables physicians to remove more clot from the lungs in less time.

FDA clears first large-bore, vacuum-assisted pulmonary embolism thrombectomy system

The Symphony Thrombectomy System eliminates tradeoffs between two priorities—leveraging large-bore power and ease of use vs. efficiently reducing clot burden and delivering improved speed.

Seeing is believing: New cath lab technology takes coronary stent visualization to the next level

Sponsored by GE HealthCare

The technologies and tools of the cardiac catheterization lab have evolved in recent years, allowing interventionalists to perform procedures with more precision than ever. Angiographic imaging, meanwhile, has remained relatively consistent—but that is all starting to change.

GE HealthCare Vivid Pioneer cardiovascular ultrasound

GE HealthCare launches ‘ultra-premium’ Vivid Pioneer cardiovascular ultrasound system

The company describes Vivid Pioneer as its “most advanced, ultra-premium and adaptive cardiovascular ultrasound system yet.” It includes new and improved AI capabilities and a compact design that is still fully functional in tight workspaces.

Kenzie Thompson, BSN, RCIS, cardiovascular invasive specialist, St. Luke's Mid-America Heart Institute, shares advice she gave to cath lab technologists and nurses during a session at the Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) meeting.

How to prepare for cath lab complications

“It is your responsibility to be the patient’s advocate,” one expert explained. “We, as the nurses and technologists, have to speak up when we see something that isn’t right.”

Reprocessed Supreme Fixed Electrophysiology Catheter

FDA announces new recall of reprocessed EP catheters due to risk of contamination

Customers with these devices on hand are asked to return them right away. No serious injuries have been reported at this time, but the presence of residual particulates can lead to such side effects as pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis.

Pilot study looks at same-day discharge PCI for acute coronary syndromes

Study shows same-day discharge is feasible for carefully selected, uncomplicated ACS patients.

John D. Puskas, MD, MSc, PhD., FACS, FACC, professor of surgery, and chief of cardiothoracic surgery at Emory University Hospital Midtown, explains when patients are best served with coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery rather than percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

How to choose between CABG and PCI when treating coronary artery disease

John Puskas, MD, chief of cardiothoracic surgery at Emory University Hospital Midtown, noted that both treatment options have their own benefits. It often depends on the patient's age and comorbidities, though there are other factors to consider as well.

The use of intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is still safe and effective when patients present with calcified nodules (CNs), according to new long-term data published in EuroIntervention.[1] Researchers compared outcomes from patients with and without CNs, highlighting key similarities in stent expansion and luminal gain.

Complications after intravascular lithotripsy are rare, real-world data confirm

Shockwave Medical, now a part of Johnson & Johnson MedTech, has consistently been found safe for patients. However, many previous clinical trials excluded high-risk patients, making it important to track real-world outcomes as time goes on.