NEW HYDE PARK, NY (June 19, 2014) – Cohen Children’s Medical Center opened a new cardiac catheterization laboratory – a $6 million investment that features diagnostic imaging equipment and other technology used to visualize the arteries and chambers of the heart and treat abnormalities.
The new unit, made possible through the support of Jay Goldman, distinguishes Cohen as the only children’s hospital on Long Island -- and one of the few in the New York area -- with a cath lab dedicated exclusively to diagnosing and treating cardiac conditions in children. Cardiac patients at Cohen previously were treated in the cardiac cath labs at LIJ Medical Center, which is connected to the children’s hospital.
"The opening of a cardiac catheterization lab is a monumental occasion for the children's hospital that enables our pediatric cardiologists to deliver care in the safest possible environment for our kids," said Kevin McGeachy, executive director at Cohen Children's, which was ranked this week by US News & World Report as one of the nation' top children's hospitals.
Rubin Cooper, MD, chief of pediatric cardiology at Cohen, said the children's hospital already performs more than 250 cardiac catheterization procedures annually on children. "The introduction of this new catheterization lab dedicated exclusively to children enables us to build on the hospital's expertise in pediatric cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery, especially minimally and non-invasive procedures”.
For instance, Dr. Cooper noted that the catheterization lab will also be used for implanting the Melody® Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve, which offers children and adults a revolutionary option for treating failing heart valves without open-heart surgery.
The new catheterization lab has the added benefit of offering the lowest-dose radiation of any similar system in the region, ensuring the safety of children undergoing diagnostic imaging, Dr. Cooper said.