Preclinical Catheterization Core

The Preclinical Catheterization Core Laboratory at the Houston Methodist Research Institute offers investigators and industry a state-of-the-art environment to test novel vascular devices and techniques. The lab provides an exceptional environment to train physicians, nurses and technologists in the use of medical devices in preclinical or inanimate models complete with a conference room and large control room for viewing procedures out of the field of radiation. 

The laboratory is equipped with a Siemens Axiom Artis fluoroscopic C-arm capable of producing computerized-tomography-like images known as Dyna-CT®; these images can then be transferred to the Siemens Syngo® workstation to produce 3-D images. The 3-D image can be used for subtracted and unsubtracted contrast injected angiography, as well as bone radiography. The lab also has ultrasound equipment capable of performing intracardiac echocardiography (ICE), intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE).  

Expertise
Daryl Schulz, R.T.(R), lab manager, has over 25 years of experience developing animal models designed to test all types of cardiovascular, peri-vascular, neurovascular and endovascular devices and techniques. 

Services:

• Cardiac and peripheral vascular interventions
• Endovascular interventions
• Neurovascular interventions
• Bone radiography
• Electrophysiology studies
• Echocardiography
  
  

Preclinical Models:

• Acute and chronic myocardial infarction models
• Carotid aneurysm model to test neurovascular devices
• Peripheral chronic total occlusion model 
• Acute pulmonary embolism model
• Heart failure model