Invasive Cardiology Department

The Regional Heart Center's Invasive Cardiology Department provides diagnostic and interventional services for patients with cardiovascular disease. We have four cardiac catheterization laboratories with digital imaging capabilities; a fifth laboratory is dedicated to electrophysiology studies, and a sixth laboratory is committed to vascular procedures. Our 24-bed Prep and Recovery Unit, located within the Regional Heart Center, allows for convenient patient care and easy access to the laboratories.

The Invasive Cardiology Department performs over 4,700 inpatient and outpatient studies per year. Diagnostic catheterization, the primary procedure performed in our laboratories, may lead to one or more interventional options depending on each patient's situation. Interventional services offered to patients include coronary angioplasty, rotational and directional atherectomy, and intracoronary stenting. Prompt surgical back-up, though rarely needed, is available for all procedures. We permanently store all case information in our Regional Heart Center database.

Our invasive team includes registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, registered cardiovascular technologists, radiology technologists, and physicians who have had extensive training and experience treating cardiac patients. Staff members are trained in the utilization of various interventional devices employed in the catheterization setting, and are required to participate in departmental quality improvement efforts. Our team is on call at all times for emergency cardiac situations.

The Invasive Cardiology Department uses practice guidelines for invasive procedures as outlined by the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology. Each patient undergoing cardiac catheterization will have the opportunity to view an educational video explaining what to expect during the procedure, and post-procedure instructions.

Our care does not end after the treatment - we offer community education and wellness programs for a fast and complete recovery.

For more information, contact The Reading Regional Heart Center: 610-988-HELP.