Advanced Cardiac Diagnosis for Better Care

Catheterization Laboratory at Ellis

Cardiac catheterization (or cardiac cath) is a procedure used to evaluate heart function, open blocked coronary arteries and restore blood flow to the heart. Ellis has one of the Northeast's highest-volume catheterization labs, performing more than 1,500 procedures each year. We’ve already surpassed national guidelines for door-to-balloon times for emergency catheterizations and stents, but we’re not stopping there. We’ll continue to refine our process and look for new efficiencies to elevate the quality of care we deliver to our patients.

Catheter procedures performed at Ellis:

• Coronary catheterization: Insertion of a catheter to allow physicians to access coronary arteries for evaluation and treatment.
• Coronary angioplasty: Insertion of balloons to open blocked arteries
• Chronic Total Occlusions: Minimally invasive procedure for completely blocked arteries. [learn more]
• Radial Angioplasty and Catheterization: Insertion of catheter through radial artery in wrist (vs. groin artery). More information below.
• Coronary stenting: Insertion of stent to open blocked arteries.
• Rotablation: Technique for removing arterial plaque.

Radial Cardiac Angioplasty and Catheterization

New alternative offers benefits for some patients

Interventional cardiologists at Ellis Medicine are now performing radial cardiac angioplasties and catheterizations - a new approach that carries important benefits. In a radial procedure, the arteries are accessed through the radial artery in the wrist, as opposed to entering via the traditional femoral artery in the groin.

Radial angioplasty and catheterization have a few advantages over traditional angioplasty and catheterization, including:

• A lower risk of bleeding
• More comfortable for the patient during the procedure
• Faster ambulation time, increasing a patients mobility and comfort after the procedure

For many patients, including those with chronic back pain and lower leg conditions, the radial approach offers advantages. Patients needing angioplasty or catheterization should talk with their doctor about what the best approach is for them.

For more information about Ellis Medicine’s Wright Heart Center or Emergency Department, please call 518.831.8840.