[Heart catheterization in Mexico. Results of the 1996 census of heart catheterization services by the Mexican Society of Cardiology]

The findings of the 1996 Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Survey of the Sociedad Mexicana de Cardiología are presented. There are 52 cardiac catheterization laboratory departments distributed in 16 cities of which Mexico City has 20, Guadalajara 6 and Monterrey 5. Ninety-six percent are in hospitals where heart surgery can be performed and 8 (17%) have a training program in cardiac catheterization. Only two (3.8%) are exclusively dedicated to pediatric cardiac catheterization. In 1995, 19,214 diagnostic procedures and 2,429 PTCAs were done. A total of 270 physicians were reported to have privileges to perform cardiac catheterization. The geographical distribution of the cath labs, procedure volumes and number of physicians performing catheterization are discussed.