Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin’s new Herma Heart Center opened earlier this week. The center is the state’s first and only pediatric hybrid catheterization lab. The hybrid cath lab will allow specialists to perform procedures that could require a combined catheter-based and surgical interventional approach – a capability that no other pediatric cath lab in the state has available.
“The hybrid cath lab enhances our commitment to providing the best and safest care for our patients,” said Dr. Stuart Berger, medical director of cardiology at Children’s. “The lab combines a surgical room environment with advanced imaging technology.”
Cardiac catheterization is used to find and then repair heart abnormalities. The new cath lab allows staff to provide safe heart repairs for infants and children in the most minimally invasive manner available today.
The lab is located on the third floor of Children’s Hopital just a few feet from the Cardiac Intesive Care Unit and the Surgery Department. Its location makes it easier and safer to transport a patient to his or her hospital room after the procedure.
