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.

Radial vs. femoral access during PCI: Real-world data show proof of a ‘sea change’ in cardiology
The use of radial access during PCI procedures is increasing throughout the United States, and new data presented at the SCAI's annual meeting suggest that could be beneficial for patients.
FDA approves Abbott’s resorbable stent for BTK arteries
The bioresorbable stent, examined at length for the LIFE-BTK clinical trial, stays in place for up to three years before completely dissolving.
FDA clears new catheter for peripheral blood clots
The new-look catheter came out of a medical device incubator started by entrepreneur Eitan Konstantino, PhD, who has years of experience in the vascular space.
Cardiologists make history, perform first-ever transcaval TAVR for pure aortic regurgitation
The 65-year-old male patient presented with a long medical history and many comorbidities, making surgery too risky.
Q&A: Interventional cardiologist details key breakthroughs in tricuspid valve replacement and repair
How have recent FDA approvals for Edwards Lifesciences and Abbott changed patient care? Andrew Rassi, MD, answered that question—and many more—in a new interview.

Ramon Varcoe explains the LIFE-BTK trial for the Abbott Esprit fully bioresobable scaffold at TCT23.

Fully bioresorbable stents boost care for CLI patients in LIFE-BTK trial

Ramon Varcoe, MBBS, co-principal investigator for the LIFE-BTK trial, discussed the results with Cardiovascular Business at TCT 2023. "I can't wait to start using these in my patients. It's going to make a huge difference."

November 14, 2023

Medtronic Onyx Frontier DES stent with an enlarged 3D print of the stent used in bifurcation stenting. Photo by Dave Fornell

PHOTO GALLERY: Interventional cardiology technologies at TCT 2023

Browse through some of the many highlights from TCT 2023 in San Francisco.

November 9, 2023

Kendra Grubb discusses TAVR vs SAVR and the most recent data to explain choices with patients.

TAVR or SAVR? Where things stand now, from a surgeon's perspective

Kendra Grubb, MD, one of the country's leading experts on cardiac surgery, discussed what she tells her patients when they ask if TAVR is better than SAVR for treating severe aortic stenosis.

November 3, 2023

Example of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) shown as part of the multimodality imaging capability on the Fujifilm CVIS.

IVUS-guided PCI boosts 2-year survival, reduces need for bypass surgery

IVUS was especially effective when treating patients with a complex coronary anatomy, researchers found.

November 2, 2023

Intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) therapy to break up calcified coronary lesions will now be reimbursed at a higher rate under new in-hospital codes the went into effect Oct. 1. Illustration of the Shockwave lithoplasty procedure using sonic waves to bust calcium without trauma.

IVL gains higher level of reimbursement with one of biggest coding updates for PCI in decades

Intravascular lithotripsy therapy to break up calcified coronary lesions will now be reimbursed at a higher rate under new in-hospital codes the went into effect Oct. 1.

November 1, 2023

Patients receive unnecessary coronary stents during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures at an alarming rate, according to a new report from the Lown Institute. The analysis included approximately 1 million stent procedures performed at more than 1,700 U.S. hospitals and outpatient facilities from 2019 to 2021.

‘More dangerous than useful’: 1 in 5 coronary stents implanted by cardiologists are unnecessary, wasting $800M per year

A cardiologist-led think tank tracked data from more than 1 million procedures, exploring the clinical and economic impacts of implanting low-value coronary stents.

October 31, 2023

Robert Yeh, MD, explains the details of the AGENT IDE trial clinical trial results for the Agent drug-coated balloon vs plain angioplasty for in-stent restenosis at TCT 2023. #TCT #TCT2023 #DCB

Coronary drug-coated balloon superior to standard of care for in-stent restenosis

Robert Yeh, MD, detailed the importance of the pivotal AGENT IDE trial, which focused on the use of a paclitaxel-coated balloon to treat in-stent restenosis.

October 31, 2023

Ziad Ali, MD, explains the ILUMIEN IV trial results for OCT Vs. Angiography.

ILUMIEN IV: OCT adds value over angiography alone, fails to improve outcomes

Ziad Ali, MD, discusses the mixed results of the ILUMIEN IV trial comparing OCT vs angiography alone.

October 23, 2023

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Cath Lab

Radial vs. femoral access during PCI: Real-world data show proof of a ‘sea change’ in cardiology

FDA approves Abbott’s resorbable stent for BTK arteries

FDA clears new catheter for peripheral blood clots

Cardiologists make history, perform first-ever transcaval TAVR for pure aortic regurgitation

Q&A: Interventional cardiologist details key breakthroughs in tricuspid valve replacement and repair

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