AHA Publishes Scientific Statement on Cardiac Catheterization Lab Practices

June 30, 2021—The American Heart Association (AHA) announced the publication of an AHA scientific statement, “Evidence-Based Practices in the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory.” The document by Sripal Bangalore, MD, et al is available online ahead of print in Circulation.

According to the AHA, this scientific statement highlights common preprocedural, intraprocedural, and postprocedural catheterization laboratory practices where evidence has accumulated over the past few decades to support or discount traditionally held practices. The AHA noted cardiac catheterization procedures have rapidly evolved and expanded in scope and technique over the past few decades. Whereas some periprocedural practices have emerged based on evidence, traditions have persisted based on beliefs and theoretical concerns. The statement seeks to remedy these discrepancies. The document aims to highlight the evidence-based practices and to support or discount traditionally held practices.