Cardiovascular Diseases in Minnesota

Mayo Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory

Recently, Mayo Clinic installed the Stereotaxis state-of-the-art computerized magnetic guidance system, which allows physicians to use magnets to remotely manipulate wires and catheters in the heart. This new technology will make more complicated procedures possible in less time, possibly eliminating the need for surgery in some patients.

The Mayo Clinic Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory's (CL) history spans 50 years of innovation and leadership in cardiac diagnosis and therapy. Mayo Clinic was among the first centers to pioneer diagnostic techniques via cardiac catheterization. More recently, Mayo Clinic has been a leader in the new area of catheter-based therapeutics, first with balloon angioplasty and repair of congenital heart defects, and more recently with balloon valvuloplasty, septal ablation and cell and gene therapy.

The CL also collaborates with other specialty areas and offers treatment for carotid artery and peripheral vascular disease, such in the legs or kidneys.

The lab is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and offers a full spectrum of services, performing more than 7,000 procedures annually.

CL services are integrated into a clinical setting through the Mayo Interventional Cardiology Clinic, where patients consult with specialty physicians on the latest advances relevant to their condition and are then treated in the lab, usually the same day. After treatment, patients have the option of continuing their care with a Mayo Clinic physician.

Treatment is available to patients of all ages, including infants, and staff includes specialists in pediatric cardiology. Read more about treatment in children.

State-of-the-Art Technology

Cardiologists and staff have access to innovative technology that can extend treatment capabilities and reduce risks. The lab's stereotaxis computerized magnetic guidance system allows physicians to use magnets to more precisely manipulate wires and catheters in the heart, which increases their ability to access and treat more complex or chronic coronary blockages without surgery. It also allows procedures to be completed in less time, reducing a patient's radiation exposure.

Support systems such as intra-aortic balloon bump (IABP) and TandemHeart™ situations in which the procedure to be performed is very complex or the patient's left ventricular function is very poor.

A dynamic research program keeps Mayo Clinic at the forefront of the latest advances in medicine. Several members of the CL are involved in research and development of new technologies and techniques to expand and improve cardiac catheterization treatment. Read more about research.

Full Spectrum of Services

Diagnostic

• Coronary, carotid, renal, peripheral and other forms of angiography
• Intracardiac and intravascular ultrasound
• Left and right heart hemodynamic assessment
• Constriction and restriction studies
• Evaluation of complex valvular disease
• Coronary physiology, endothelial and microcirculation assessment (coronary spasm study)
• Endomyocardial biopsy
• Full range of services for the transplant patient, including surveillance biopsies and ultrasound

• Percutaneous coronary intervention (coronary angioplasty and stenting/balloons and stents) to treat coronary artery disease
• Stereotaxis magnetically assisted intervention for complex cases
• Atherectomy (plaque removal with rotational atherectomy device)
• Thrombectomy (clot removal with aspiration device)
• Cell and gene therapy trials to treat coronary artery disease
• Balloon valvuloplasty to treat aortic or mitral valve stenosis
• Closure of periprosthetic valve leaks
• Nonsurgical closure of ostium secundum atrial septal defects (ASD) or patent foramen ovales
• Balloon dilatation and stent placement to treat coarctation of the aorta
• Septal ablation to treat hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
• Transcatheter insertion of coil or occluder to treat patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)
• Balloon atrial septostomy as part of pulmonary atresia treatment
• Cardiac assist devices
• Carotid artery angioplasty and stenting
• Angioplasty and stenting for peripheral vascular disease affecting the legs or kidneys.

Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) treatment of refractory angina is also available in the CL for patients who have severe blockages not amenable to further revascularization.

Procedures to replace heart valves via catheter are under investigation and may soon be available.

Patient Satisfaction

In a recent satisfaction survey, Mayo Clinic patients seen in the cardiac catheterization labs gave Mayo Clinic very high marks. Ninety-eight percent reported feeling that doctors and nurses listened to their concerns carefully and met their needs, and 99 percent indicated they would be inclined to recommend Mayo Clinic to their friends and families.

Appointments

Appointments for treatment in the Mayo Clinic Catheterization Laboratory are made through the Mayo Clinic Interventional Cardiology Clinic or through a patient's Mayo Clinic physician.

To schedule an appointment with a Mayo Clinic physician, call 507-284-3994 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central time Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday.

Physician Staff

Charanjit S. Rihal, M.D. – Director

Adult Cardiologists
Gregory W. Barsness, M.D.
Malcolm R. Bell, M.D.
Patricia J.M. Best, M.D.
Barry A. Borlaug, M.D.
John F. Bresnahan, M.D.
Charles R. Cagin, D.O.
Robert P. Frantz, M.D.
Rajiv Gulati, M.D., Ph.D.
David R. Holmes, Jr., M.D.
Andre C. Lapeyre, III, M.D.
Amir Lerman, M.D.
Verghese Mathew, M.D.
Joseph G. Murphy, M.D.
Rick A. Nishimura, M.D.
Krishna M. Pamulapati, M.D.
Abrahim Prasad, M.D.
Guy S. Reeder, M.D.
Gurpreet S. Sandhu, M.D., Ph.D.
Robert D. Simari, M.D.
Mandeep Singh, M.D.
Ripudamanjit Singh, M.D.
Paul Sorajja, M.D.
R. Thomas Tilbury, M.D.
Henry H. Ting, M.D.

Pediatric Cardiologists
Allison Cabalka, M.D.
Frank Cetta Jr., M.D.
Donald J. Hagler, M.D.

Pediatric Radiologist
Paul Julsrud, M.D.

Medical Physicist
Kenneth A. Fetterly, Ph.D.