Cardiac Catheterization Lab
The Cardiac Catheterization Lab offers state-of-the-art technology and treatment for heart disease. Two coronary digital labs are dedicated to offering coronary and peripheral catheter based procedures. Coronary angiography, percutaneous intervention, rotational atherectomy, cutting balloon angioplasty and coronary stent implantation are performed.
The Cardiac Catheterization Lab deals specifically with the catheter-based treatment of structural heart diseases. Many procedures can be performed on the heart by catheterization. The most common procedure involves inserting a small tube into an artery in the groin or wrist and viewing the heart with X-Rays. This treatment avoids scarring and pain, and long post-operative recovery.
The Cardiac Catheterization Lab features the following state-of-the-art technology and treatment for heart disease:
- Acute heart attack care program with one of the shortest response times in the nation in getting the blocked artery open
- Structural heart disease intervention with non-surgical treatment of congenital heart defects
- Intravascular ultrasounds (IVUS) and Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) for invasive lesion assessment
- Percutaneous coronary and peripheral intervention
The Cardiac Electrophysiology service at the Hennepin Heart Center provides a wide range of therapeutic modalities for management of heart rhythm disturbances. Our state-of-the-art biplane cardiac electrophysiology laboratory has an advanced, three-dimensional mapping system for managing cardiac arrhythmias and offers the following services:
- 3D Cardiac mapping is a process that can map and detect specific electrical activity of the heart in real time. Any irregularities can be immediately diagnosed and potentially treated.
- Catheter ablation is a procedure which uses long, flexible tubes that are inserted through a vein in your groin and threaded to your heart to correct structural problems in your heart that cause heart rhythm problems.
- Defibrillator implantation is intended for patients at high risk with irregular heart rhythm. This device can find an irregular rhythm and shock the heart back into a regular rhythm. A small incision is made near the heart and the device is connected electrically to the heart.
- Pacemakers are artificial devices that stimulate the heart muscle and regulate its contractions.
- Implantable Loop Recorders, also known as an insertable cardiac monitors, are small devices that are implanted just under the skin of the chest to record the heart's electrical activity.
- Tilt table testing is a test used to evaluate the cause of unexplained fainting. During a tilt table test, you lie on a table that moves from a horizontal to a vertical position. Your heart rate and blood pressure are monitored throughout the tilt table test.