Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory

St. Vincent Charity Medical Center's notoriety in the history of cardiac care began in 1950 with the addition of Cardiologist Henry A. Zimmerman, M.D., who launched the Division of Cardiology. Under Dr. Zimmerman's direction, the Hospital was catapulted to the forefront of innovations in cardiac care. In 1952, Earl B. Kaye, performed the first open-heart surgery in the Midwest. In 1956, Dr. Zimmerman was appointed director of the Hospital's newly launched Marie Coaxley Cardiovascular Laboratory — one of the first diagnostic and evaluation laboratories in the Midwest for the investigation of rheumatic and congenital heart disease.

Comprehensive medical and surgical services for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of heart and vascular diseases and conditions, including diagnostic testing, cardiac catheterization, open-heart surgery, vascular medicine and surgery, peripheral procedures and cardiac rehabilitation are available in our new state-of-the-art cath lab.

Using Phillips 3-D technology, our team is better able to diagnose and treat patients quickly and effectively.

St. Vincent Charity Medical has received a five-star rating from HealthGrades in cardiac services for eight year in a row (2003-2010).

Currently, we the capability of performing the following procedures:

  • Cardiac Catheterization
  • Percutaneous Coronary Interventions
  • Peripheral Angiograms
  • Peripheral Interventions
  • Rotational Atherectomy
  • Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS)
  • Angiojet
  • Intra-aortic Balloon Pump insertion (IABP)
  • Permanent Pacemaker implant (PPM)
  • Automated Implantable Cardiac Defibrillators (AICD)
  • Electrophysiology studies (EPS)
  • Temporary pacemaker insertions (TPM)
  • Cardioversion
  • Pericardiocentesis

The staff is made up of a combined group of Registered Nurses (RN's), a Radiologic Technician (RT), a cardiac technician, a department secretary, and a manager. The cath lab staff is on-call 24/7 and works in collaboration with the cardiologists and the Emergency Department to expedite emergency procedures to strive for optimal outcomes for patients requiring emergent services.

Center of Excellence