The cardiac catheterization laboratories, or cardiac cath labs, at Froedtert Hospital and Froedtert Menomonee Falls Hospital are used to diagnose and treat patients with acute coronary disease and heart attack. Both cath labs are open 24/7 to meet the needs of patients experiencing a cardiac event. Each lab is equipped with the most advanced digital imaging technology available and offers life-saving procedures like angioplasty and stent placement to open blocked arteries.

Cardiac catheterization offers a minimally invasive way to diagnose coronary artery disease (CAD), peripheral artery disease (PAD) and structural heart disease. It involves making a small incision in the groin or wrist (radial catheterization) to access an artery. A catheter (a thin, flexible tube) is then placed in the artery and moved up to the heart to diagnose or treat heart conditions.

Diagnostic Catheterization

Diagnostic catheterization (angiography) is done to obtain information about the heart and its function. After guiding a catheter to the area being examined, a “dye” is injected through the catheter and X-ray images are taken to determine the presence of blockages in the arteries.

Catheterization to Unblock Arteries, Repair Heart Problems

Interventional catheterization is done as a treatment to open blocked coronary arteries or repair structural problems in the heart. Also known as endovascular procedures, these non-surgical treatments are performed from inside the blood vessel.

Procedures include:

Our interventional cardiologists, and vascular and interventional radiologists are among the most experienced in the region performing diagnostic and interventional catheterization procedures.

Learn more about angioplasty and catheterization procedures and the exceptional care available through our Coronary Artery Disease Program.

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Our Cardiovascular Program continues to receive recognition as one of the top programs nationally. We are honored to provide high-quality, effective care for even the most high-risk patients.

  • The Froedtert & MCW health network has built a reputation for clinical excellence and our research draws patients from around the world. Our Heart & Vascular program recognitions include:

    • Premier recognized Froedtert Hospital in 2025 as one of the nation’s 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals® according to its independent quality analysis based on a balanced scorecard. The hospitals recognized in the top 50 operated at lower cost and had better outcomes, recording significantly higher inpatient survival rates, fewer patients with complications, lower readmission rates and up to nearly $7,000 less in total costs per patient case. Froedtert Hospital was ranked in the category of top teaching hospitals with a cardiovascular residency program. No other hospital in Wisconsin was recognized with this national distinction.
    • The International Cardio-Oncology Society (ICOS) recognizes our Cardio-Oncology Program as a gold level Cardio-Oncology Center of Excellence in 2025. ICOS certification is awarded to institutions and practices that demonstrate superior expertise in the care of patients who have heart disease, are at high risk or experience heart complications with cancer treatment. The ICOS awards bronze, silver and gold certification. Of the two ICOS-certified programs in Wisconsin, we are the only one that meets the stringent requirements needed to be recognized as a gold level Cardio-Oncology Center of Excellence.
    • Healthgrades recognized Froedtert Hospital in its 2024 Specialty Excellence Awards, including one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals for Cardiac Surgery, one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Cardiac Care and one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Coronary Intervention, as well as other specialty achievements in various areas.
    • Becker’s Hospital Review recognized Froedtert Hospital within its 2024 list of 100 Hospitals and Health Systems with Great Heart Programs. Hospitals featured on this list are renowned for delivering superior heart and vascular care that results in high-quality outcomes. As part of a health network that includes eastern Wisconsin’s only academic medical center, our heart and vascular specialists treat a high volume of patients with a wide variety of heart diseases.
    • The Society for Vascular Surgery's Vascular Quality Initiative (SVS VQI) recognized Froedert Hospital as a Carotid Care Quality Champion by the SVS VQI‘s clinical registry recognition program in 2024. The VQI recognizes select centers across the country as Carotid Care Quality Champions for their dedication to improving the safety and effectiveness of vascular care through participation and engagement in VQI’s carotid artery stenting and/or carotid endarterectomy registries.
    • The American Heart Association recognized Froedtert Hospital with the following awards that show our commitment to improving care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines and streamlining processes to ensure timely and proper care for heart attacks.
      • Get With the Guidelines® Heart Failure Gold Plus Award
      • Get With the Guidelines® — Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Receiving Gold Plus with Target: Type 2 Diabetes
      • Get With the Guidelines® — Coronary Artery Disease NSTEMI Gold with Target: Type 2 Diabetes
      • Get With the Guidelines® AFib Gold Award
      • In addition, the hospital was recognized on the AHA’s Target: Heart Failure(SM) Honor Roll and received the AHA’s Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll™ award.

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