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 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.
Choosing left radial access in the cath lab helps cardiologists limit radiation exposure
Using a left radial artery approach in the cath lab exposes interventional cardiologists to significantly less radiation than a hyper-adducted right radial artery approach. The difference is substantial enough for researchers to declare LRA "the primary access site for cardiac catheterization."
Advances in bioresorbable stents show promise for treating PAD
Bioresorbable stents are back in the spotlight thanks to some significant progress from multiple medtech companies. Eric Secemsky, MD, discussed some of the biggest breakthroughs in this space at CRT 2025.
SCAI leaders 'on a mission' to improve cath lab protection from radiation, orthopedic injury
SCAI President James Hermiller, Jr., MD, explains the need for more innovative radiation protection systems in the cath lab.
Cardiologists are first in world to use new TAVR catheter from Boston Scientific
The new Self-Centering Guide Catheter was designed to help care teams with the retrograde crossing of the aortic valve during TAVR. Researchers evaluated the safety and effectiveness of the catheter, sharing their experience in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.

FFR-guided PCI provides significant value, new meta-analysis confirms

FFR-guided PCI was associated with improved resource utilization and less radiation exposure, among other benefits, when compared to angiography-guided procedures.

Microbot Medical microcatheters Liberty Robotic System

Microbot Medical acquires Nitiloop’s assets, including FDA-cleared microcatheters

The company plans to integrate the newly acquired microcatheters into its existing robotics platforms.

VIDEO: Role of PFO closure in stroke prevention

John Carroll, MD, director of interventional cardiology and professor of medicine at the University of Colorado, explains the state of transcatheter closure of patent foramen ovale (PFO) to prevent stroke.

5 key predictors of heart failure hospitalizations after TAVR

Diabetes and atrial fibrillation are just some of the factors that can increase a patient's risk of being hospitalized for heart failure within one year of undergoing a successful TAVR procedure.

P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy after PCI similar to prolonged DAPT, new 3-year analysis confirms

Researchers have shared an updated analysis of the SMART-CHOICE study, focusing on major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events—as well as bleeding events—among PCI patients after three years.

Preventing AKI after TAVR may help lessen the impact of chronic kidney disease

If researchers can find ways to prevent AKI after TAVR, it could help decrease the risk of poor outcomes in more ways than one.

A TAVR procedure being performed at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago. These structural heart procedures require a team approach.

Earlier interventions may boost survival when TAVR patients experience a stroke

New research in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions suggests improved collaborations between cardiologists and neurologists could help TAVR patients live longer after a periprocedural stroke.

Impella Heart Pump Abiomed RECOVER IV RCT cardiogenic shock

Impella heart pumps boost survival up to 81% for cardiogenic shock patients

The heart pumps appear to provide significant benefits for patients with acute myocardial infarction- or myocarditis-related cardiogenic shock.

Cath Lab

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

Choosing left radial access in the cath lab helps cardiologists limit radiation exposure

Advances in bioresorbable stents show promise for treating PAD

SCAI leaders 'on a mission' to improve cath lab protection from radiation, orthopedic injury

Cardiologists are first in world to use new TAVR catheter from Boston Scientific