Cardiac Catheterization Lab

The Cardiac Catheterization Lab is part of Virginia Mason's Cardiovascular Imaging and Intervention Center. This facility utilizes the most recent technology available, providing the latest in adult cardiac diagnostic and interventional services.

We have two labs performing 2,400 procedures annually, including 600 interventional studies. Virginia Mason is a national training site for the Philips Medical X-ray and archival systems.

Cardiovascular Lab

The Cardiovascular Lab offers diagnostic testing for cardiac patients. The services provided by the lab include:

  • 12-lead ECGs (Electrocardiograms)
  • Exercise treadmill test (ETT)
  • ETT with dual isotope imaging
  • Transient arrhythmia monitors: 24 or 48-hour Holter monitor, 14-day Zio patch
  • ETT with echo imaging (stress echo)
  • Pharmacologic stress test Regadenoson (Lexiscan) and dual isotope imaging
  • Dobutamine stress echo

Our ACLS and BCLS certified nursing staff are experts in managing cardiac patients. Our technicians are trained in dysrhythmia recognition and CPR. The Lab is open 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday - Friday, and is located on Lindeman Pavilion, level three.

Echocardiography Lab

Virginia Mason's echocardiography lab is one of the first 1,000 labs in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico to be accredited by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission for Echocardiography.

The echocardiography lab is located on the third floor of the Lindeman Pavilion and provides 24-hour service, seven days a week. The lab is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. After hours and on weekends a cardiologist and a cardiac sonographer are on-call to provide emergency services.

Our echocardiography lab offers a multitude of testing capabilities, including:

  • Transthoracic Echo (TTE)
  • Transesophageal Echo (TEE)
  • Stress Echo (SE)
  • Dobutamine Stress Echo (DSE)

With the most advanced equipment, including digital technology, our echocardiography lab performs more than 12,000 procedures per year, making The Heart Institute at Virginia Mason's echocardiography lab the leader in the Puget Sound area.

Electrophysiology (EP) Lab

The focus of the Electrophysiology (EP) Lab is the diagnosis and treatment of problems with the "electrical" system of the heart.

Electrophysiology Study:

  • Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation
  • Cardioversion
  • Tilt-Table test
  • Pacemaker Insertion
  • Automatic Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Implantation (AICD)
  • Atrial-Ventricular Node Ablation
  • Atrial Defibrillator
  • Insertable Loop Recorder
  • Non-invasive program Stimulation
  • Watchman LAAO

Based on results from procedures performed in the EP Lab, appropriate treatment options for various rhythm disturbances (arrhythmias) can be offered. These options may consist of, or be a combination of, medications, pacemaker/defibrillator implantations, electrical shock and application of heat (cautery) to the heart tissue.