West Boca Medical Center expands heart care services with new cardiac catheterization lab allowing patients to receive advanced treatment locally in emergencies
West Boca Raton, Florida – Patients in southern Palm Beach County now have faster access to advanced heart care as West Boca Medical Center expands its cardiovascular services with a new cardiac catheterization lab designed to treat serious heart conditions locally instead of sending patients to other facilities.
The new lab, which began operating in December, represents a significant multi-million-dollar investment in cardiac care for the region. It is located on the hospital’s campus along State Road 7/441, just north of Palmetto Park Road. Hospital officials say the goal is simple but important: reduce delays in treatment for patients experiencing heart emergencies such as potential heart attacks and related symptoms.
With the addition of the lab, doctors can now perform complex diagnostic and interventional procedures on-site. That includes evaluating conditions like coronary artery disease and performing minimally invasive treatments that once required patient transfers to other hospitals. The upgraded capability is expected to change how quickly patients receive critical care in emergency situations.
Dr. Michael Halista, an interventional and structural cardiologist at the hospital, carried out the first procedure in the new lab. According to hospital officials, the case was completed successfully and without complications, marking a strong start for the facility’s operations.
The first patient treated in the lab was 77-year-old David H., who underwent an angiogram followed by a Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement, commonly known as TAVR. The procedure is minimally invasive and used to treat certain heart valve conditions. Instead of requiring open-heart surgery, it allows doctors to repair or replace valves through small access points in the body.
David described his experience in simple terms, noting how smooth the process felt from start to finish.
“I was diagnosed accurately, I was in the lab and out. It was a smooth day surgery,” he said. “It was an excellent experience, and I would recommend it to anyone in the area.”
For hospital staff, his case demonstrated exactly what the new lab was designed to do—deliver advanced care efficiently, safely, and close to home. The ability to diagnose and treat in one location is expected to reduce stress for patients and families while also speeding up decision-making during urgent cardiac events.
Dr. Halista emphasized the broader impact of the expansion, pointing to how it strengthens the hospital’s ability to serve the community’s growing healthcare needs.
“Adding cardiac catheterization services is a major step forward in expanding our cardiovascular care capabilities,” he said. “For our community, it means faster access to diagnostic care, less need for transfers to other hospitals, and greater peace of mind knowing that these advanced services are available right here, close to home.”
The lab is equipped with advanced imaging technology that allows physicians to see real-time views of the heart and vascular system. This level of detail helps doctors assess complex conditions more accurately and make quicker treatment decisions, especially in emergency situations where time is critical.
Hospital leaders say the expansion reflects a broader effort to keep pace with increasing demand for cardiovascular services in the region. As populations grow and age, the need for timely heart care continues to rise, making local access to specialized treatment more important than ever.
For patients, the change is already being felt. Instead of traveling long distances during stressful medical events, they can now receive diagnosis and treatment in the same facility, often within minutes of arrival. That shift can make a major difference in outcomes, particularly in time-sensitive cardiac cases.
As the new lab continues to operate and expand its role within the hospital, officials say it will remain focused on one core goal—bringing high-level heart care directly to the community, where it is needed most.
