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.

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.
Shockwave Medical launches new IVL catheter for targeting challenging lesions in PAD patients
The new-look Javelin Peripheral IVL Catheter was designed to travel through extremely narrowed blood vessels and target plaques with up to 120 pulses.

ACC.22 kicked off on Saturday, April 2, in Washington, D.C.

Salt restrictions, PCI breakthroughs and a social media primer for cardiologists: Day 1 at ACC.22

Explore our on-the-ground coverage of the first day of ACC.22.

More than 6,000 IN.PACT Admiral Drug-Coated Balloons have been recalled, Medtronic announced Thursday.

Medtronic recalls more than 6,000 catheters due to potential damage, loss of sterility

The issue, identified during a routine inspection, appears to be related to a change in the manufacturing process. It has now been corrected, Medtronic said in a statement.

Same-day discharge after TAVR is feasible and safe, new Cleveland Clinic study confirms

Cleveland Clinic turned to same-day discharge after TAVR during the COVID-19 pandemic, finding considerable success.

A CT image from the Heart Institute in Kyiv, Ukraine, showing a Russian bullet in a civilian patient's upper lung lobe. The patient was being treated at the cardiology hospital after he tried to drive his family out of the area of the front lines and was shot at by Russian soldiers. He is being treated by cardiac surgeon Igor Mokryk MD. Photo by Igor Mokryk.

Heart hospital in Ukraine treating wounded civilians

Cardiothoracic surgeon Igor Mokryk, MD, spent last week taking his family to the Polish border. This week, he treated his first gunshot wound patient at the Heart Institute in Kyiv.

Evolocumab limits adverse cardiovascular outcomes among PCI patients

Data from the FOURIER trial helped clinicians learn more about this popular PCSK9 inhibitor.

Distal radial access consistently lowers risk of artery occlusion during PCI

The new meta-analysis, published in the American Journal of Cardiology, includes data from 16 different studies.

Congenital heart disease increases risk of poor COVID-19 outcomes, including death

Researchers examined data from more than 235,000 hospitalized patients treated in the United States.

When infective endocarditis after TAVR is most likely to be fatal

Researchers reviewed data from more than 900 patients, sharing their research in the American Journal of Cardiology.

Cath Lab

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

Shockwave Medical launches new IVL catheter for targeting challenging lesions in PAD patients