Interventional Cardiology

Le Bonheur Children's cardiac catheterization (cath) labs allow pediatric cardiologists to guide a catheter through a blood vessel into the heart to take a closer look. Procedures may be performed to create a hole in the heart to allow proper blood flow or place mesh devices that close holes inside the heart. Stents can also be placed in narrowed arteries to keep them open. These procedures offer patients a much quicker recovery than open heart surgery. Rush Waller, MD, specializes in interventional cardiology procedures.

If the patient requires open heart surgery, the cath labs can be converted to operating rooms for cardiothoracic surgeons and the surgical team to continue treatment in a safe, sterile environment. These hybrid capabilities provide state-of-the-art pediatric cardiac care to patients.