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.

Angiographic catheters recalled due to safety risk
The new Class I recall includes nearly 27,000 devices that could potentially experience a harmful defect during use.
AMA to advocate for improved Medicare payments for office-based labs
SCAI and other healthcare groups want changes made to how healthcare providers are paid after performing office-based lab procedures. "As much as we love delivering care as doctors, if we are losing money doing something, we cannot sustain it," one cardiologist explained.
Cardiologist became paralyzed after wearing heavy aprons in the cath lab for decades—but he fought back
Dean J. Kereiakes, MD, was left paralyzed after battling severe orthopedic issues for his entire career. Back in the cath lab after a long recovery, he is now stressing the importance of workplace safety among interventional cardiologists.
Cardiologists using less contrast in the cath lab—but there is room to improve
Researchers emphasized that minimizing procedural contrast use is an effective way to reduce the risk of post-PCI acute kidney injury.
Society of Interventional Radiology joins others in urging Medicare payment for high-cost disposables
The resolution urges the AMA to advocate for separate payment for certain services using supplies priced above $500, as well as those containing high-cost equipment.

Drug-coated balloons comparable to drug-eluting stents when PCI patients have a high bleeding risk

Drug-coated balloons were associated with a lower risk of bleeding after PCI than drug-eluting stents, the study's authors reported.

VIDEO: TAVR durability outperforms surgical valves

Michael J. Reardon, MD, professor of cardiothoracic surgery and Allison Family Distinguished chair of cardiovascular research at Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center, presented pooled data at ACC.22 from the CoreValve SURTAVI trials that found transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) was more durable than surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) devices.

Adam Greenbaum, MD, Emory, explains the CLASP TR trial of the Pascal clip device for transcatheter repair, which was a late-breaking ACC22 study.

VIDEO: Pascal effective in transcatheter repair of tricuspid valve regurgitation

Adam Greenbaum, MD, co-director of the Structural Heart and Valve Center at Emory University Hospital Midtown in Atlanta, explains details from the late-breaking CLASP TR trial at ACC.22.

Several ACC 2022 late-breaking trials may have impacts on clinical practice for interventional cardiology and structural heart. One trial compared FFR vs. IVUS guided PCI for intermediate coronary lesions. Photos by Dave Fornell

Key interventional cardiology takeaways from ACC.22

Several late-breaking clinical trials at ACC.22 will likely impact clinical practice. Below are summaries of a few key trials and their takeaways for interventional cardiology and structural heart interventions.

Is PCI without stenting safe for low-risk STEMI patients?

The study's authors examined data from the DANAMI-3 trial, focusing on such outcomes as all-cause mortality, recurrent MI and target vessel revascularization.

PCI vs. CABG for left main disease: Key takeaways from a new meta-analysis

Researchers explored data from five different randomized controlled trials, publishing their analysis in the American Journal of Cardiology.

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.

Cath Lab

Angiographic catheters recalled due to safety risk

AMA to advocate for improved Medicare payments for office-based labs

Cardiologist became paralyzed after wearing heavy aprons in the cath lab for decades—but he fought back

Cardiologists using less contrast in the cath lab—but there is room to improve

Society of Interventional Radiology joins others in urging Medicare payment for high-cost disposables