SHEPHERDSVILLE, Ky. – UofL Health – South Hospital proudly announced the completion of its 1,000th cardiac catheterization procedure performed in its state-of-the‑art cath lab. Since opening in April 2024, the lab has provided essential, life‑saving cardiac care to residents of Bullitt County and surrounding regions.
This milestone comes as part of UofL Health’s commitment to bring comprehensive, high‑quality inpatient and cardiac care closer to home. The 170,000-square‑foot, 40‑bed hospital—which includes a 10‑bed ICU, a full-service emergency department with a “fast track” area and diagnostic imaging—fills a critical care gap in the 10th-most populous county in Kentucky.
“This is a proud moment for our hospital and a clear reflection of the difference we’re making in this community,” said Dorie Shelburne, CEO of South Hospital. “Hitting 1,000 cases is more than just a number—it represents lives saved, families kept whole and the incredible dedication of our cardiac team, support staff and EMS partners.”
There is a growing need for advanced cardiac services in the area, and the impact of having timely, high-quality care close to home cannot be understated. Performing 1,000 procedures in just over a year is a remarkable achievement, and underscores the trust patients and providers have placed in the experienced team at South Hospital. It also reinforces the critical role the cath lab plays in improving cardiac outcomes across the region.
The presence of a cardiac cath lab ensures patients suffering from heart attacks—especially the most serious type of heart attack, known as a “STEMI”—receive life-saving treatment faster than ever. During heart attacks, every minute counts. Heart muscle begins to die within minutes of blockage. UofL Health’s STEMI network, which coordinates directly with emergency medical services, enabling the cath lab team to begin interventions often within 30 minutes of a patient’s arrival—an essential factor in reducing heart muscle damage and improving outcomes.
“Fast access to care saves lives,” said Dr. Chandhiran Rangaswamy, Medical Director of the cath lab at South Hospital. “Faster treatment significantly reduces risks of heart failure, long-term disability and death.”
Reaching the 1,000-case milestone is a testament to the dedication of the hospital’s multidisciplinary team, including Dr. Rangaswamy and Dr. Amir Piracha, interventional cardiologists, cath lab nurses and techs, EMS partners and emergency department staff.
The cath lab operates 24/7 to ensure swift, life-saving care. Now, with over 1,000 cases behind them, the team stands ready to help even more patients in the moments when every second counts.
