About Us

Pioneering Catheterization Program

The CVI operates one of the highest-volume cardiac catheterization programs in New England.

We perform more than 4,000 catheterizations and 1,200 interventional procedures annually using the latest technology.

Our team continues to play a major role in the development and evaluation of leading-edge technologies for the treatment of complex cardiovascular disorders. Many interventional patients are enrolled in clinical trials providing access to novel treatments.

Commitment to Quality 

The CVI has established a number of initiatives to ensure that our patients receive the safest and best interventional care, including:

  • Ongoing comparisons of our outcomes following cardiac catheterization, coronary angioplasty and carotid artery stenting procedures with the performance of hospitals across the nation. Comparisons include use of benchmarks and sophisticated mathematical models to take into account the differences in severity of illness and co-existing medical conditions among our patients.
  • Collaborative efforts with our Emergency Department, the Emergency Medical Services of the City of Boston, and nearby community hospitals to minimize delays in providing prompt evaluation and treatment (including emergent coronary angioplasty and open heart surgery) for patients suffering a heart attack.
  • Vigorous continuous quality improvement program to reduce the amount of X-ray radiation used to perform cardiac catheterization and angioplasty procedures.
  • Participation of CardioVascular Institute faculty members in statewide, national and international initiatives and committees evaluating and strengthening the efficacy, safety, quality, and cost-effectiveness of cardiovascular procedures, devices, drugs and other treatments.

State-of-the-Art Facilities

The CVI's cardiac catheterization suite includes four fully digital, flat-screen catheterization labs and a hybrid operating room/cath lab. The latter enables our physicians and surgeons to collaborate in complex, hybrid electrophysiology and coronary procedures.

Each catheterization laboratory has state-of-the-art hemodynamic imaging equipment for the study of blood flow. Our digital cath labs provide higher resolution imaging at lower radiation doses for patients undergoing coronary angiography, stent placement and other complex and common cardiac procedures.