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.

Cardiologists make history, use new robotic imaging system for first time
Researchers believe a new robotic TEE system could improve the long-term health of interventional echocardiographers in addition to several other key benefits.
Stroke care continues to evolve thanks to AI, cardiologists and more
Gregg Fonarow, MD, discussed the American Heart Association's stroke guidelines, the growing influence of AI and much more.
IVL delivers significant value for women, real-world data confirm
Researchers tracked data from nearly 400 women with complex CAD who underwent treatment with Shockwave Medical's intravascular lithotripsy technology prior to PCI.
Imaging for chest pain: CT- and ICA-first strategies linked to similar long-term health status
These findings present additional evidence that invasive imaging tests are not necessarily more effective when it comes to evaluating patients for chest pain.
Vendor payments not responsible for rising popularity of LAAO procedures
Consulting fees and other vendor payments do not appear to be directly influencing U.S. physicians to implant more Watchman devices. Researcher Alexander Kolomaya, MD, discussed his team's findings on this topic.

ROB’E Robotic transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)

Cardiologists make history, use new robotic imaging system for first time

Researchers believe a new robotic TEE system could improve the long-term health of interventional echocardiographers in addition to several other key benefits.

Video interview with Gregg Fonarow, MD, explaining the success of the AHA Get With The Guidelines-Stroke program, during AHA 2024.

Stroke care continues to evolve thanks to AI, cardiologists and more

Gregg Fonarow, MD, discussed the American Heart Association's stroke guidelines, the growing influence of AI and much more.

The Shockwave Medical M5+ new peripheral intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) catheter cuts procedures times in half and was showed for the first time at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) 2022 meeting. It is designed to break up calcium in heavily calcified arteries to avoid the need for vessel trauma caused by high pressure angioplasty.

IVL delivers significant value for women, real-world data confirm

Researchers tracked data from nearly 400 women with complex CAD who underwent treatment with Shockwave Medical's intravascular lithotripsy technology prior to PCI.

Imaging for chest pain: CT- and ICA-first strategies linked to similar long-term health status

These findings present additional evidence that invasive imaging tests are not necessarily more effective when it comes to evaluating patients for chest pain.

Alexander Kolomaya, MD, a cardiology resident at the University of Utah, presented a study on U.S. national trends in left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) volume and open payments from vendors to operators at the American Heart Association 2024 meeting.

Vendor payments not responsible for rising popularity of LAAO procedures

Consulting fees and other vendor payments do not appear to be directly influencing U.S. physicians to implant more Watchman devices. Researcher Alexander Kolomaya, MD, discussed his team's findings on this topic.

Conavi Medical’s Novasight Hybrid System catheter

FDA warns that certain coronary imaging catheters are being removed from market over safety concerns

A catheter sheath detached during use and was left in the patient’s body. It was successfully removed, but the FDA said it is now evaluating the potential risk to others going forward. There is no official recall at this time.

Family of heart patient who died awarded $45M after suing health system for negligence

The 55-year-old patient woke up experiencing chest pain one morning and an ambulance was called. He was dead just a few hours later. His family's lawsuit argued that delays in care, communication errors and other issues were directly responsible for his death.

FDA clears new device for enabling access to the heart’s surface without an exposed needle

CardioVia's ViaOne technology includes a blunt-tip needle that remains concealed to help interventional cardiologists and electrophysiologists treat cardiac arrhythmias with a reduced risk of perforation or any other complications.