Queensland’s largest private hospital, Greenslopes Private Hospital celebrated a new milestone with the launch of its $3-million hybrid theatre, a combined cardiac cath lab and operating theatre specifically designed for vascular surgeons and cardiology.
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The cardiac team tested the new facility in its 250th Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI), under the supervision of Cardiothoracic surgeon Dr Christopher Smith and Interventional Cardiologist Dr Karl Poon.
The TAVI procedure is a minimally invasive alternative to open-heart surgery for patients suffering from severe aortic stenosis. The narrowed aortic valve is replaced using an artificial valve delivered via a catheter placed through the femoral artery in the groin.
Dr Smith, who helped establish the TAVI program at Greenslopes Private Hospital, said TAVI is not for everyone but is an important part of the treatment modalities that they have available for severe aortic stenosis.
“Initially it was used for patients who weren’t suitable for surgery and were otherwise destined for palliative care. But the indications have now progressed and in the coming years, I am sure we will be offering TAVI to more and more patients,” he said.
Emma Neylan, Greenslopes Private Hospital’s Nurse Unit Manager of cardiac suites said the custom-built hybrid theatre is larger than a usual cath lab and allows for more specialised equipment.
“For example, we can abort a strict cath lab procedure and progress to a bypass operation without needing to switch theatres or have the patient return for surgery on another day,” Ms Neylan said.
Dr Smith shared he was so excited to be involved with the TAVI program at Greenslopes because it represents a new era in cardiac services utilising a specific ‘heart team’ approach. It’s a collaboration of the two specialities – interventional cardiology and cardiac surgery.
