The Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital is one of the world's largest and most advanced cardiac cath labs in the world. Cardiologists and staff treat more than 10,000 patients annually and perform more than 15,000 procedures each year.
The laboratories include one research lab, seven interventional labs, and three double-tabled swing-labs, all equipped with leading-edge monitoring and radiographic equipment. The swing-labs, developed at St. Luke’s, promote cost savings and efficiency: one imaging unit swivels overhead between two identical treatment tables, enabling staff to treat one patient while preparing another.
Diagnosis
A diagnostic procedure is performed in the cath lab to determine the extent of disease present in the vascular system. Left heart catheterization (arterial) is performed to determine blockages in the coronary vascular system. Right heart catheterization (venous) is performed to determine how well the heart valves are functioning and how effective the heart is pumping blood to the lungs.
To learn more about diagnostic procedures performed in the Catheterization Lab, visit the Cath Lab Diagnostic page.
Treatment
Often used along with angiography and other procedures, cardiac catheterization has become a prime tool for visualizing the heart and blood vessels and diagnosing and treating heart disease.
To learn more about the treatment options offered in the Catheterization Lab, visit the Cath Lab Treatment page.
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