Childen's Hospital Boston 300 Longwood Avenue
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 355-6000
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Clinical Services:
Interventional Cardiac Catheterization Program
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Cardiac catheterization was developed as a tool for observing the heart in action (diagnostic catheterization). Today, many repairs that once required surgery, can be accomplished by catheterization (interventional catheterization). A catheter is a very narrow tube fed into a vein or artery that leads to the heart.

Children's Hospital Boston is a strong leader in developing new diagnostic and interventional techniques using catheterization, especially for young patients. As the number and complexity of such techniques grows, the procedures require ever-greater specialization.

With six full-time physicians performing 1,500 procedures each year, the catheterization program at Children's is one of the largest in the country, and draws the most talented and ambitious fellows from around the world.

The New Facility Has Opened!
The new lab is equipped with the full range of diagnostic and interventional devices and allows seamless integration among the staff of the catheterization lab, anesthesiologists and other medical specialists. The new facility has eased scheduling and accommodated the growing number of cases seen at Children's.
Video Spotlight
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Dr. McElhinney
Catheterization is a powerful, but complex, tool. Catheterization in children requires the right expertise. Click on the video link below to hear Doff McElhinney, MD, explain the differences in catheterization between adults and children.

Requires RealPlayer. For best video playback, right click and save the files to your desktop.

Dr. McElhinney on catheterization in children vs. adults
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Webcast
The American Heart Association Statement on Pediatric Therapeutic Cardiac Catheterization
Congenital Heart Information Network
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