Northwest Health Opens Hybrid OR/Catheterization Laboratory to Enhance Patient Care

Valparaiso – On April 16, Northwest Health - Porter’s new $ 5.85 million hybrid catheterization
laboratory/operating room combination ushered in a more advanced level of cardiovascular technology
to the area.
The hybrid catheterization lab, or "hybrid cath lab," is a specialized medical suite that combines the
capabilities of a traditional cath lab, used for minimally invasive interventional cardiac procedures like
angioplasty and stenting, with those of a surgical operating room. This allows for a wider range of
cardiovascular procedures to be performed in a single setting, providing patients with more
comprehensive care and potentially reducing the need for multiple procedures or surgeries.
"The introduction of the hybrid cath lab/OR reaffirms Northwest Health’ s commitment to excellence in
patient care and as a leader in cardiovascular medicine,” said Dr. James Leonard, Chief Executive Officer
for Northwest Health - Porter. “By having this technology locally accessible, we ensure timely
interventions, reduce patient transport times, enhance collaboration among specialists, and can
improve patient outcomes. It also demonstrates our commitment to innovation and delivering high-
quality healthcare services tailored to the needs of the region.”
The new hybrid cath lab is approximately 1.5 times larger than the hospital’s other four traditional cath
and electrophysiology labs and is suited to treat a range of conditions from complex coronary and
structural heart disease to peripheral vascular disease.
“As an interventional cardiologist for many years, I have seen the difference time, technology and
teamwork make when someone is having a heart attack or other cardiac-related event,” said
interventional cardiologist Sandeep Sehgal, MD, FACC. “The configuration and advanced capabilities of
the hybrid lab allows physicians the ability to quickly transition to an open heart procedure, if a cardiac
team determines that would be a better option. Previously, that would require moving the patient to a
separate operating room. Our teams are excited to leverage this technology to provide quality,
evidence-based care to our community.”
Key benefits of the Hybrid Catheterization Laboratory include:
Minimally Invasive Procedures: The hybrid nature of the lab allows for a seamless transition between
diagnostic and interventional procedures, minimizing the need for multiple interventions and reducing a
patient’s recovery time. Additionally, complex interventions, such as transcatheter heart valve
replacements and coronary artery bypass grafting (heart bypass surgery); can now be performed with
greater ease and safety.

Increased precision: The hybrid cath lab is equipped with advanced imaging technology, such as
fluoroscopy and 3D echocardiogram imaging, allowing for more accurate diagnosis and treatment of
complex cardiovascular conditions.
Expanded treatment options: With the ability to perform both minimally invasive procedures and open
surgeries, patients have access to a wider range of treatment options tailored to their specific needs.
This flexibility for the hospital to perform multiple procedures on a patient at the same time contributes
to safety by exposing patients to less anesthesia and less radiation used during imaging.
For more information regarding the nationally recognized heart care provided at Northwest Health –
Porter, visit nwhealthporter.com/cardiac-care.
About Northwest Health
Northwest Health is a comprehensive healthcare system committed to providing communities in
Northwest Indiana with high-quality, accessible healthcare—from highly specialized care and surgical
services to more routine primary care. The system of more than 60 access points includes three
hospitals, five emergency departments, urgent care centers, outpatient surgery centers, an ambulance
service, and physician offices. A team of more than 3,000 employees work together with the more than
700 physicians on its medical staffs. Northwest Health is owned in part by physicians. For more
information, visit NWHealthIN.com.