Hybrid theatre enables advanced procedures at Bristol Heart
Institute
19 January 2010
A ‘hybrid theatre’, the second of its kind in the UK, has been
opened at the Bristol Heart Institute (BHI).
The new imaging technology and a £60 million building positions the
facility as a central location for all heart services at Bristol Royal
Infirmary. Equipment includes an Artis zee ceiling-mounted
interventional imaging system with a large detector and an operating
table.
While the hybrid theatre will be used for complex interventions and
surgical procedures, three other Artis zees have been installed at BHI.
A new 24-hour cath lab, situated close to the ambulance bay, will enable
almost immediate treatment in emergency situations. Two further Artis
zees have been installed in a conventional cath lab. Both systems are
expected to increase the amount of patients seen due to advanced imaging
capabilities, easy patient access and flexibility.

The hybrid operating theatre at the Bristol Heart
Institute
The hybrid theatre will mean shorter waiting times, reduced hospital
stays, fewer operations and less distress for patients. Cardiac
radiologists, vascular surgeons, cardiac surgeons and interventional
cardiologists will now be able to carry out different procedures on one
patient in the same room. Procedures to be carried out include mitral
valvuloplasty, Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) closures, percutaneous
aortic and pulmonary valve replacement.
“The hybrid cath lab enables us to carry out combined procedures, for
example surgery and image-guided intervention at the same time.
Furthermore, we can use the room for a range of different procedures
which gives us a great deal of flexibility,” said Dr. Andreas Baumbach,
Consultant Cardiologist at BHI. “The Artis zee is state-of-the-art. The
image quality is superb and as the system can be quickly moved away when
not required, it is the ideal solution for what we are trying to
achieve.”
The ceiling-mounted Artis zee provides excellent patient access and
outstanding imaging at a low dose. The system can be moved quickly and
easily to create the space needed for an operating environment. A
Siemens operating table was also chosen for its improved functionality
that includes trendelenberg and lateral tilt. This provides clinicians
with a clear view into the chest and the radiolucent properties needed
for cath lab interventions.
“The combination of an interventional imaging system with operating
table has provided clinicians at BHI with a hybrid theatre environment,”
said Darren Parker, Regional Sales Manager at Siemens Healthcare. “This
is an advanced facility with advanced technology and we are delighted
that Siemens is a part of it.”
The hospital has also ordered a Mobilett XP mobile digital X-ray
system featuring a detector that can be used in virtually any clinical
situation. This enables clinicians to view images within seconds and
instantly upload them to a PACS (picture archiving and communications
system).