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C-Arm Provides Access for Hybrid Procedures in Pediatric Patients

A new flexible C-arm system allows cardiologists and surgeons to work together in a hybrid cardiac environment.

Toshiba Medical Systems’ (Tokyo, Japan) Infinix Hybrid cardiovascular X-ray imaging system was featured in three live cases during the International Symposium on the Hybrid Approach to Congenital Heart Disease (ISHAC), held June 16-18, 2008, in Columbus, OH, USA. Coordinated by Nationwide Children’s Hospital (Columbus, OH, USA) and in its third year, ISHAC is the most comprehensive symposium on cardiac hybrid procedures.

In the first case, co-directors of the Heart Center at Nationwide Children’s Hospital performed a hybrid procedure on a one-day-old baby with hypoplastic left heart syndrome via live simulcast using Toshiba’s Infinix Hybrid system. Dr. John P. Cheatham, director of cardiac catheterization and interventional therapy and Dr. Mark Galantowicz, chief of cardiothoracic surgery completed this procedure. As pioneers in hybrid procedures, Dr. Cheatham and Dr. Galantowicz utilized the exceptional patient access and coverage of the Infinix system to complete the procedure and provide a very high level of patient care. Whereas the doctors are working together on pediatric patients in a hybrid setting, it is crucial that the imaging system provides excellent image quality, the flexibility to reach ancillary equipment, and the patient quickly and easily.

“The unparalleled access and ability to freely move the C-arm allows us to perform these hybrid procedures in the pediatric setting,” said Dr. Cheatham. “The Infinix’s capabilities are ideal for allowing both the pediatric cardiologist and surgeon to work perfectly together in these hybrid procedures on patients with congenital heart disease.”

During the second live case procedure at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, an intraoperative stent will be placed during open-heart surgery using endoscopic guidance. The procedure will be performed by Drs. Galantowicz and Dr. Cheatham’s colleagues, Dr. Alistair Phillips and Dr. Ralf J. Holzer. They will use the Infinix C-arm in the Hybrid Cardiac Operative Suite to confirm the effectiveness of the stent and the new pulmonary valve implanted at the end of the procedure before separating from cardio-pulmonary bypass.

In the third procedure using the Infinix Hybrid system, physicians from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, IL, USA, will complete a device closure of a perventricular muscular ventricle septal defect while broadcasting live. The procedure will be performed by Dr. Ziyad M. Hijazi, director of the Rush Center for Congenital and Structural Heart Disease, Dr. Michel N. Ilbawi, chief of pediatric cardiac surgery, Dr. Anastasios Polimenakos, pediatric cardiac surgeon and Dr. Qi-Ling Cao, senior research scientist. Rush University Medical Center is home to a brand new Infinix system that was awarded the 2007 Frost & Sullivan (Palo Alto, CA, USA) technology innovation award.

“These three live cases with top pediatric physicians at the ISHAC symposium are a testament to the exceptional collaborative environment created by the Infinix’s unique C-arm positioning,” explained Robert Micer, director, X-ray Vascular Business Unit, Toshiba. “This allows a team of physicians and staff to gain easy patient and facilitate the ease of use of multiple ancillary devices. The unique Infinix attributes enable more complex procedures, like these hybrid cardiac therapies being demonstrated.”

Toshiba’s Infinix high-definition flat panel detector provides excellent contrast and dynamic resolution, allowing for easy visualization of the smallest details, including intricate blood vessels and guidance of small devices critical to pediatric hybrid procedures.