Media Release
For Immediate Release
SASKATOON –Saskatchewan patients are now benefiting from newly renovated, state-of-the-art interventional cardiology suites at Royal University Hospital (RUH), following a $5.5 million investment by Royal University Hospital (RUH) Foundation.
The completed renovations of the Walter and Margaret McNabb Interventional Cardiology Suite replace aging infrastructure with modern technology designed to improve patient outcomes and support the growing demand for complex cardiac care at RUH—the primary referral centre for advanced heart procedures for patients in the northern half of the province.
The interventional cardiology program includes both cardiac catheterization (cath) and electrophysiology (EP) labs, where specialists diagnose and treat life-threatening heart conditions. Modernizing this space is a critical, forward-looking investment that enhances workflow, reduces procedure delays and supports care teams delivering time-sensitive interventions.
Renovations were completed at the end of 2025 and the interventional cardiology suite is fully operational, with up to 20 procedures performed per day. A total of 4008 procedures were performed in the interventional cardiology suites at RUH in 2024-25.
The upgraded suites improve efficiency, enhance patient and worker safety and provide care teams with the advanced tools needed to deliver complex cardiac procedures.
Key Quotes
| “Replacing aging equipment with modern technology helps our province meet health care demands and improve patient outcomes,” Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill said. “We are thankful to the Royal University Hospital Foundation and its donors for their generosity and dedication to ensuring Saskatchewan patients and their families have access to the best cardiac diagnosis and treatment options possible.” |
| “This renovation is a meaningful investment in patient care across Saskatchewan. By modernizing the cardiac suite at the Royal University Hospital, we’re improving precision, safety, and efficiency; allowing healthcare teams to care for patients faster and with greater confidence,” Andrew Will, SHA CEO. |
| “RUH Foundation is proud to have invested $5.5 million into this upgraded space, thanks to the generous support of our donors. This incredible contribution from our community helps bring the latest technology and innovation to patients at RUH – the epicentre of medical care for Saskatchewan” – Jennifer Molloy, RUH Foundation CEO. |
We’re here for you. Thank you for being here for us.
Photos
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- Dr. Jason Orvold, Cardiologist and Division Head of Cardiology, in the new EP Lab. Photo courtesy of RUH Foundation.
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- Dr. Jason Orvold, Cardiologist and Division Head of Cardiology, in the new Cath Lab. Photo courtesy of RUH Foundation.
Video b-roll available by request.
Contacts
For more information, contact:
Jeanette Neufeld
RUH Foundation Communications
306.290.4572
jeanette.neufeld@ruhf.org
Media Relations
Saskatchewan Health Authority
Phone: 1-833-766-4392
Email: media@saskhealthauthority.ca
Media Desk
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083
media@health.gov.sk.ca
Additional Information
What is interventional cardiology?
Interventional cardiology treats heart conditions using minimally invasive procedures. Doctors guide thin tubes called catheters through blood vessels to the heart to open blocked arteries, repair heart structures and correct rhythm problems—often avoiding open-heart surgery and allowing faster recovery for patients.
What is cardiac catheterization?
Cardiac catheterization is a procedure where a thin tube is guided through a blood vessel to the heart. It helps doctors diagnose heart problems, check blood flow and find blockages. Treatments like opening narrowed arteries or placing stents can often be done at the same time.
What is electrophysiology (EP)?
Electrophysiology, or EP, focuses on heart rhythm problems. Doctors use special catheters to study the heart’s electrical signals and find irregular rhythms. Treatments may include correcting problem areas or implanting devices to help restore a normal, steady heartbeat.
How many patients go through these labs annually?
Up to 20 procedures per day, more than 4,000 each year.
Where are patients from?
Patients come primarily from Saskatoon and across the northern half of Saskatchewan.
How does this new renovation impact patient care?
Replacing aging cardiac interventional equipment in the Electrophysiology (EP) lab can significantly enhance patient care in several ways: improved technology enables specialists to perform procedures more efficiently with better patient outcomes; improved image quality can reduce complications and improve the precision of procedures, ultimately leading to faster recovery times; and upgraded equipment results in decreased radiation exposure for both patients and staff, an added benefit for worker safety and staff recruitment and retention efforts.
Overall, investing in new cardiac interventional equipment not only enhances the quality-of-care patients receive but also helps make the procedure safer and more efficient for everyone involved.
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