Contact Us

Cardiac Cath Labs

Home » Healthcare Buildings » Diagnostic Imaging Units » Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratories

Cardiac Cath Labs

Cardiac catheterisation laboratories (commonly referred to as “cath labs” or “catheter labs”) are specialist hospital facilities designed for diagnostic and interventional cardiac procedures. They are typically located within tertiary referral centres, where X-ray coronary angiography is used to investigate and treat conditions such as coronary artery disease. Procedures may include coronary angioplasty, stent placement, and pre-operative planning for coronary artery bypass grafts.

These highly controlled environments are designed to support real-time imaging, maintain sterile working conditions, and facilitate close collaboration between cardiologists, radiographers, and nursing teams.

ModuleCo Modular Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory at Oxford Hospital Internal Image
ModuleCo Modular Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory at Oxford Hospital Internal Image 2

X-ray Coronary Angiography

X-ray coronary angiography is used to detect coronary artery disease and to support the planning of bypass grafts by identifying narrowing or blockages in the coronary arteries, typically in patients with angina or other cardiac symptoms.

A contrast medium is injected through a cardiac catheter, which is inserted via the femoral artery into the aorta. This enables real-time imaging of the coronary arteries at high frame rates. The resulting digital images are subsequently reviewed and reported using a clinical workstation.

Cath Lab Design and Build

A ModuleCo modular cath lab or tertiary referral centre can be delivered as a fully equipped standalone facility. It may include cardiac X-ray procedure rooms with single or biplane fluoroscopy or fluorography systems, a control room for imaging equipment, a technical room, adjacent anaesthetic spaces, and scrubbing-up facilities.

The clinical core can be supported by additional areas such as patient waiting rooms, a day case ward, recovery bays, and clean and dirty utility rooms. These are all tailored to meet the specific needs of the service.

Our cardiac catheterisation laboratories are designed to operating theatre standards, consistent with those used for both vascular and non-vascular interventional procedures.

The number of labs required will depend on patient volumes. Rooms can be sized to accommodate biplane equipment, providing future-proofing for clinical developments and allowing space for up to 11 staff members and the patient.

Each catheter lab can be equipped with either single or biplane angiography systems (supplied by the client), ceiling-mounted pendants for anaesthetic services, clinical lighting, and medical gas outlets, including oxygen, nitrous oxide, compressed air, and suction. Anaesthetic gas scavenging systems and high-quality finishes, in line with operating theatre standards, are also incorporated.

Interested in our healthcare buildings?

Fill out the form below, and our team will get in touch with you.


    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is a modular cardiac catheterisation laboratory (cath lab)?

    A modular cardiac catheterisation laboratory is a fully equipped, off-site constructed facility designed for diagnostic and interventional cardiac procedures, including angiography, stent placement, and pre-operative planning. Our cath labs are built to operating theatre standards and can be delivered as standalone units or integrated into a wider hospital development.
    Each facility can include procedure rooms, control rooms, recovery bays, and a full range of supporting spaces such as anaesthetic rooms, scrubbing-up areas, technical rooms, and clean and dirty utility rooms. These can all be tailored to meet the specific clinical and operational requirements of the hospital.

    What equipment and features are included in a ModuleCo cath lab?

    Each ModuleCo catheter laboratory is designed to accommodate either single or biplane angiography systems and includes ceiling-mounted pendants for anaesthetic gases, medical gas outlets, clinical lighting, anaesthetic gas scavenging systems, and high-quality theatre-grade finishes. Rooms are future-proofed to support evolving clinical needs and are sized to accommodate up to 11 staff members, in addition to the patient, during procedures.

    Supporting Articles

    Surgical facilities from the leading provider to the NHS.

    Operating Theatres
    Modular Diagnostic Facility MRI Machine Image

    Diagnostic and imaging facilities for all specialisms.

    Diagnostic Imaging
    ModuleCo Hospital In Patient Ward Modular Healthcare Facility Image

    Hospital wards that prioritise the needs of the patient.

    Hospital Wards
    ModuleCo Modular Central Sterile Services Department Facility Image

    Specialist facilities for the modern-day hospital.

    Specialist Buildings