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.

SCAI 2021: Robotic-assisted PCI associated with strong patient outcomes, a high technical success rate

The procedure's clinical success rate was 97.8%, researchers reported.

SCAI 2021: 98% of new TAVR programs developed in metropolitan areas

Researchers tracked 554 TAVR programs that opened from 2012 to 2018, sharing their findings at the SCAI 2021 Scientific Sessions.

SCAI 2021: COVID-19 especially harmful for high-risk heart attack patients

Researchers presented new data from the North American COVID-19 Myocardial Infarction registry, detailing the ongoing pandemic's "deadly impact."

SCAI unveils new cath lab guidelines at annual meeting

The new guidelines were endorsed by the American College of Cardiology, American Heart Association, Heart Rhythm Society and Clinical Policy Approval Committee.

Transseptal MViV for high-risk patients associated with 100% success rate after 1 year

Researchers explored data from one arm of the MITRAL early feasible study, sharing their findings in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.

TEER still beneficial for heart failure patients with an elevated mitral valve gradient

Researchers explored data from the COAPT trial, sharing their findings in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.

M&A mergers and acquisitions business deal

Endologix acquires medical device company focused on peripheral artery disease

PQ Bypass, the company Endologix acquired, has gained significant attention for its Detour platform, an investigational treatment for percutaneous femoral-popliteal bypass.

New guidelines focus on the management of heart failure patients with secondary mitral regurgitation

The Heart Failure Association, European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging, European Heart Rhythm Association and European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions all collaborated on the position statement.

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