Thanks to medical advancements, our innovative Heart Center can repair
many heart defects using a minimally-invasive procedure called cardiac
catheterization instead of open heart surgery
Our two state-of-the-art cardiac catheterization labs (Cath Lab for short)
allow our providers to perform diagnostic and interventional cardiac catheterization
procedures for patients of all ages, from newborns to adults, with congenital
heart disease. Diagnostic catheterization allows doctors to run a variety
of heart tests, and interventional catheterization allows doctors to repair
the heart.
Sometimes cath procedures are considered the first choice of treatment
over surgery depending on the condition and treatment plans. Other times,
cath procedures are used to provide a short-term solution until a longer-term
heart surgery can be performed more safely.
Utilizing the most advanced equipment available, procedures can be performed
with less radiation, making it safer for the patient; not to mention,
the benefit of avoiding another open-heart surgical procedure. Technology
such as 3-D rotational angiography and 3D Echo Pixel allows us to view
the anatomy from a 360-degree rotating view helping to clarify complex problems.
Experts in congenital interventional cardiology
Children’s has a multi-disciplinary team including two congenital
cardiac surgeons, two congenital interventional cardiologists , a team
of congenital cardiac anesthesiologists, pediatric cardiologists and pediatric
radiologists who all meet together to put a plan in place for your child’s
procedure making sure each child gets the individualized care you expect
from us. In our Cath Lab, one or two congenital heart disease interventionists,
along with a team of specialists, perform every high-risk heart catheterization.
Providing anesthesia to patients with congenital heart defects can be quite
complex. Assisting our cardiologists are a highly trained team of pediatric
cardiac anesthesiologists who provide the general anesthesia services
to ensure the patient is comfortable and safe.
About the procedure
A cardiac catheterization is a minimally invasive procedure that is used
to diagnose and treat many heart conditions. Catheterization procedures
have been used to treating common heart conditions, like holes in the
heart, narrowed valves, or narrowed blood vessels for decades. These procedures
are performed by using a needle to place catheters in blood vessels, typically
in the leg or neck, which are then extended into the heart and lungs to
treat various defects. In the modern era, heart valves can also be delivered
through the leg for many patients, preventing an additional open-heart
surgery. Our dedicated team of congenital interventional cardiologists
and staff provide the capability of offering every form of known intervention.
Diagnostic Catheterization
Typically performed prior to any intervention to decide if the necessary
indications are present as well as providing precise measurements to ensure
the subsequent intervention is successfully performed in the safest manner.
Prior to open heart surgery to provide the surgeons with vital information
to plan the operation and ensure the best possible outcome.
To provide additional information when echocardiography and/or other imaging
modalities do not adequately show the structures of the heart and related
blood vessels.
Help understand the functioning of the heart and identify any problems
with related blood vessels.
Provide crucial information needed to appropriately treat patients with
pulmonary vascular disease / pulmonary hypertension
Interventional Catheterization
Performed by our highly skilled congenital interventional cardiologists
with a dedicated team of congenital cardiac catheterization nurses and
technologists to treat a wide variety of conditions and heart defects
We also specialize in treating rare, life-threatening problems that require
a high degree of technical skills. Examples include catheter treatments
for pulmonary vein stenosis, combined catheter, and surgical hybrid approaches
to complex left heart obstructive defects, transcatheter replacement of
pulmonary valves in patients who have already had prior surgery, and PDA
device closure in the extreme premature neonates weighing as small as
just 500 grams (or a little over one pound). You can learn more about
the device we use for these procedures by visiting:
We also specialize in treating rare, life-threatening problems that require
a high degree of technical skills. Examples include catheter treatments
for pulmonary vein stenosis, combined catheter, and surgical hybrid approaches
to complex left heart obstructive defects, transcatheter replacement of
pulmonary valves in patients who have already had prior surgery, and PDA
device closure in the extreme premature neonates weighing as small as
just 500 grams (or a little over one pound). You can learn more about
the device we use for these procedures here.
Conditions we treat through cardiac catheterization:
Device closure of atrial septal defects (ASD)
Device closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)
Device closure of ventricular septal defects (VSD)
Revascularization of chronically occluded blood vessels
Valvuloplasty for narrowed heart valves
Embolization of vascular malformations (AVMs) or collateral blood vessels
Transcatheter pulmonary valve implants
Atrial septostomy
Cardiac biopsies
Thrombectomy for pulmonary embolism
Balloon angioplasty or stenting of narrowed blood vessels throughout the
body, including pulmonary arteries and veins, coarctation of the aorta,
and other systemic veins and arteries
