Cardiac Cathetorization Lab

The Cardiac Cath Lab is designed to diagnose and treat patients with heart disease, as well as patients with blockage in the circulatory system. We use angioplasty, stents, the cutting balloon, and laser to treat narrowed or blocked arteries around the heart. These procedures are also performed in the arteries to the kidney, brain, arms and legs. Permanent pacemakers, intra-aortic balloon pumps and implantable defibulators are also routinely inserted in the Cath Lab.

Medcenter One's catheterization statistics exceed national averages on nearly every measurement. For example, the lab has achieved a 98% success rate with PTCA/Stent procedures, a 4.2% clinical restenosis rate, an overall complication rate of 0.9%, and less than 1% of our interventional procedures converted to coronary bypass surgery.

Medcenter One was recently recognized for excellence in cardiac care risk-adjusted healthcare outcome data analysis. For example, for heart attack care, Medcenter One performed 25% better than predicted based upon in-house and six-month post-hospital stay mortality rates.

Cardiac catheterization is a common, relatively painless, nonsurgical procedure that can help your doctor diagnose a heart problem. In some cases, catheterization can be used to treat heart disease, as well.

To perform the procedure, your cardiologist inserts a long, flexible tube called a catheter into a blood vessel and gently guides it toward your heart. Once the catheter is in place, x-rays and other tests are done to help your doctor evaluate how well your heart is working.