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Park Ridge hospital unveiling new cardiac catheterization lab

At the age of 59, Vito Lullo of Norridge had no symptoms of heart disease. So when his niece suggested that Advocate Lutheran General Hospital was doing healthy heart screenings for $49, he decided to do it on a whim.

Within a week, Lullo was having quadruple bypass surgery, which saved his life.

Lullo will be the guest speaker when leaders from the Advocate Heart Institute at Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge cut a ribbon for a new $15 million cardiac catheterization lab at 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 11.

Each year, more than 2,500 procedures are performed in the cardiac catheterization lab used to diagnose, as well as treat, some heart conditions. This new lab offers enhanced quality, safety and patient amenities; some of which are unique to North America. It was built in partnership with the Advocate Heart Institute physicians and caregivers, who know what patients want and need.

"In designing this lab, it was all about the patient experience," says Dr. Alan Brown, director of the Division of Cardiology at Lutheran General. "This environment gives our patients the highest quality of care, as well as the comfort and calm they deserve."

During cardiac catheterization, a long thin tube called a catheter is inserted into an artery or vein in the groin, neck or arm and threaded through the blood vessels to the heart. From there, a variety of tests and procedures can be performed, such as angiogram, angioplasty and implantation of pacemakers.

The new lab features enhanced visualization and better images during procedures, uses much less radiation, is designed for efficiency and shortened wait times and is located directly below the emergency department, enabling quick transport and less damage to the heart in an emergent situation.

It will officially open for patients Monday, Aug. 29.

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