Hahnemann's Cardiac Catheterization Program is one of the busiest in the region performing thousands of interventional procedures each year. These invasive procedures can both diagnose and treat numerous heart conditions, offering patients interventional therapies instead of surgery.

The team of physicians, nurses and technologists in our laboratories perform a wide range of procedures from routine outpatient diagnostic catheterizations to innovative advanced procedures for complicated cardiac diseases.

Hahnemann also remains a leader in cardiovascular clinical research, and participated in research on coated stents. These devices are designed to help prevent blockages from recurring within the treated site. The stent is coated with a drug, which helps prevent scar tissue, which is a leading cause of restenosis.

Special Procedures

For those patients who develop restenosis after receiving coronary angioplasty or stents, Hahnemann's cath lab offers intravascular radiotherapy (brachytherapy). Similar to an angioplasty procedure, intravascular radiotherapy is delivered to the site of the recurring blockage after it has been treated with a balloon or stent. A special catheter emits a low dose of beta radiation to stop the cell proliferation that causes reblockages. Hahnemann was among the first hospitals in the United States to offer this treatment for restenosis.

Our cath lab also offers alternative treatments to patients who have congenital heart anomalies such as Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) or Atrial Septal Defects (ASD). The Cardioseal and Amplatzer device are heart patches used for patients with these conditions, who would otherwise require either open-heart surgery or long-term treatment on a blood-thinning medication. The Cardioseal procedure is indicated for those with PFO because it has been associated with stroke of an unknown origin. Now a percutaneous technique that involves inserting a patch via a catheter effectively seals the hole. Patients are not subjected to many surgical risks and generally experience quicker recoveries and shorter hospitalizations.

Building upon our tradition of cardiovascular excellence, Hahnemann's catherization program has expanded to include a laboratory specializing in procedures involving other vascular families.

One of the first of its kind in the region, our peripheral vascular lab has the capability to image both vascular and coronary anatomy. This flexibility offers patients access to a multi-specialty team of experts, including cardiologists, neuroradiologists and surgeons-all in the same setting. This alleviates multiple admissions with different physicians and departments. Our peripheral vascular equipment enables us to perform comprehensive diagnostic arteriograms on patients with a variety of medical conditions affecting the lower extremities, kidneys, brachiocephalic vessels and the abdominal aorta.

The lab also enables us to perform peripheral vascular interventions. Hahnemann was one of only a few investigational sites for carotid stenting, a less invasive alternative to endarterectomy. Carotid stenting, which treats blockage in the arteries to the brain, may be effective in preventing strokes. It is especially effective when used in conjunction with neuro-protection, a filter that captures debris during the stent procedure that may cause a stroke.

Endovascular stent grafting is a less invasive approach to surgery that generally offers an easier recovery and a shorter hospital stay for patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). A polyester and metal tube is placed inside the diseased vessel without surgically opening the surrounding tissue. Our catheterization suite accommodates such complex cases and provides the flexibility of functioning as an operating room to provide a sterile environment.

Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Office
Hahnemann University Hospital
Seventh Floor
Broad and Vine Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19102

For information and appointments, call 215-762-7092