Cardiac catheterization — or “heart cath” for short — helps doctors diagnose and treat a range of heart and vascular defects.
Interventional heart cath procedures have become a first-line treatment for many inherited and acquired heart conditions.
They can also help:
- Save the lives of critically ill children and adults.
- Delay or avoid the need for surgery.
- Prevent heart failure.
The Heart Cath Lab at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh cares for people throughout the lifespan — from fetus to adult.
Refer a Patient to the Interventional Cardiology Program at UPMC Children's
To refer a patient, doctors can:
Heart Conditions We Treat in the Cath Lab
An interventional heart cath is a minimally invasive treatment for heart conditions.
During the procedure, your doctor will use special devices to:
- Open or close holes in the heart.
- Widen narrowed vessels of valves.
- Close abnormal or extra blood vessels.
- Replace poorly functioning heart valves.
Common conditions we treat at the Interventional Cardiology program include:
