Update on requirements and equipment in interventional cardiology

ABSTRACT Over the last two decades, several key advances have been made in the field of interventional cardiology including new techniques and treatments, organizational changes such as the management of acute myocardial infarction, and the arrival of satellite catheterization laboratories. All these advances require the updating of the requirements and equipment that are needed in an interventional cardiology unit. This consensus document by the Interventional Cardiology Association of the Spanish Society of Cardiology, the Ischemic Heart Disease and Acute Cardiac Care Association of the Spanish Society of Cardiology and the Spanish Association of Nursing in Cardiology which describes the recommendations that should be followed by percutaneous coronary intervention capable hospitals or centers intend to build interventional cardiology units. It also describes the requirements for provision, qualification of professionals, technological and material resource allocation, and aspects related to supervised catheterization laboratories and structural heart disease programs.