What Procedures Are Done in a Cath Lab?

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Most X-ray devices are used for medical diagnosis, but for certain procedures the units can be both diagnostic and interventional. Among these belong mobile C-arms and cath lab system.

We have written about the use of mobile C-arm machines, but what procedures are done in a cath lab, and when would you use a cath lab rather than a mobile C-arm?

Let us take a look.

What is a Cath Lab?
Cath lab, short for catheterization laboratory, is an examination room in a hospital or clinic with diagnostic imaging equipment.

It is similar to a C-arm system except that it is not mobile but a mounted system with a table. It also has more power than a mobile C-arm.

In a cath lab, physicians perform minimally invasive tests and procedures to diagnose and treat, for example, cardiovascular diseases.


Most top providers of medical robot imaging equipment also manufacture cath labs. You can find cath labs from GE, Philips, Siemens as well as Canon Medical (former Toshiba).

What Procedures Are Done in a Cath Lab?
Typically, you would use a cath lab for:


The different types of interventional work require different characteristics of the cath lab with opration table. Nevertheless, the most important determinants to help you decide which cath lab fits your needs are: