Royal Brompton Hospital, part of Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust, has recently expanded its capability within the cardiac catheter lab, by opening a new state-of-the-art hybrid operating theatre for complex and combined cardiac procedures. An Artis Q zeego with PURE® technology from Siemens Healthcare is being used to assist with innovative cardiovascular procedures, including Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) and other aortic repairs.
“The Trust is one of Europe’s largest centres for the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease, caring for patients with complex cardiac conditions from all around the UK,” comments Lindsey Morton, Superintendent Radiographer at Royal Brompton Hospital. “As we increase the number of hybrid procedures we offer to patients, it is essential we have the right technology to support the expanded service. The Artis Q zeego from Siemens Healthcare provides a clear image and the syngo® 2D/3D fusion ensures accurate 3D guidance during these procedures.”
Lindsey Morton continues “We are also using syngo Aortic Valve Guidance, which suggests the best angulation of the c-arm for valve deployment, saving time and minimising contrast media administered to the patient.”
TAVI offers a less invasive alternative to open cardiac surgery for the treatment of aortic stenosis, avoiding the need for cardiopulmonary bypass. Access to the aortic valve may be transluminal, or surgical, via a mini thoracotomy with apical puncture of the left ventricle. The aortic valve is dilated using a balloon catheter, which is advanced over a guidewire and the new prosthetic valve is manipulated into position and deployed over the existing aortic valve.
The Artis Q zeego includes syngo Aortic Valve Guidance which offers enhanced workflow and accuracy for valve positioning. This application provides fast and precise 3D information on the aortic root anatomy, making it an excellent basis for valve implantation planning. The software automatically segments the aortic root and colour-codes landmarks for the coronary ostia or the valve commissures. syngo Aortic Valve Guidance also suggests an ideal implantation view plane, which can be transferred to the C-arm for automated system movements. Combining syngo 3D Roadmap, the 3D valve image can be overlaid either in solid or contour mode.
Anna Pomeroy, Business Manager at Siemens Healthcare states, “Royal Brompton has invested significantly in the latest imaging technology to bolster its world-class cardiac service. The Artis Q zeego is designed to streamline workflow and create efficiencies to help keep pace with increased interventional volume. With the system in place, the hospital is now able to free up a CT scanner for other patients, due to the combined procedures that the Artis Q zeego offers.”
Siemens Healthcare is one of the world's largest suppliers to the healthcare industry and a trendsetter in medical imaging, laboratory diagnostics, medical information technology and hearing aids. Siemens offers its customers products and solutions for the entire range of patient care from a single source – from prevention and early detection to diagnosis, and on to treatment and aftercare. By optimising clinical workflows for the most common diseases, Siemens also makes healthcare faster, better and more cost-effective. Siemens Healthcare employs some 52,000 employees worldwide and operates around the world www.siemens.co.uk/healthcare.