Cardiac Catheterization Lab

If you are experiencing chest pain that your cardiologist or physician suspects is related to arterial blockage, you may be sent to our Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory (Cardiac Cath Lab) for diagnosis and/or treatment.

St. Mary’s Medical Center is home to one of Minnesota’s largest and most respected cardiac programs. The SMDC Heart & Vascular Center is committed to interventional cardiology and the quality of work done in our Cardiac Cath Lab.

• Highly trained and experienced cardiologists, nurses, and cardiovascular technicians staff our Cardiac Cath Lab. This specialized team responds quickly and confidently to your needs, using state-of-the-art imaging and monitoring technology in a fully-integrated lab setting.

• More than 50,000 patients have visited our Cardiac Cath Lab for tests and procedures, averaging around 15 patients per day. Daily exposure to multiple heart cases, emergent cardiac procedures, and technically challenging work distinguishes our program from other hospitals.

• We find and fix heart conditions by minimally invasive, catheter-based techniques instead of surgery whenever possible. These procedures often provide better results and require shorter recovery times — so you can get on with your life. Your health, safety, and comfort are very important to us.

• Cardiac research conducted through the SMDC Heart & Vascular Center provides you with access to cutting-edge equipment, medications, and procedures. We help advance the field of cardiac care by participating in studies on new stent platforms, drug combinations, and innovative techniques.

Once your Cardiac Cath Lab procedure is over, you will receive outstanding nursing care and monitoring, whether you recover in one the Coronary Intensive Care Unit, Post Coronary Care Unit, or other bed in the hospital. In many cases, you will be able to leave within 24 hours — sometimes the very same day.