Western Australian children with heart and vascular problems can now be treated using Australia's most advanced angiography suite - a $2.1million facility that takes moving X-ray images of arteries, veins and the heart. Health Minister Jim McGinty said the new suite at Princess Margaret Hospital would allow surgeons to better diagnose conditions such as congenital heart disease and renal disease and perform non-invasive surgery.
(Media-Newswire.com) - Western Australian children with heart and vascular problems can now be treated using Australia’s most advanced angiography suite - a $2.1million facility that takes moving X-ray images of arteries, veins and the heart.
Health Minister Jim McGinty said the new suite at Princess Margaret Hospital would allow surgeons to better diagnose conditions such as congenital heart disease and renal disease and perform non-invasive surgery.
“This equipment can make the difference between major invasive surgery or a short keyhole procedure on a three-month old baby,” Mr McGinty said.
“The new system also generates significantly less radiation, increasing safety for patients and staff and making it highly suitable for paediatric treatment.”
The new suite is the only flat panel paediatric biplane angiography system in Australia and will be used to treat more than 300 children each year.
Chief of Diagnostic Imaging at PMH Ian Morris explained that the system worked by using radiation to capture images, which were displayed as a continuous digital video x-ray.
“Bi-plane is x-ray television, so rather than seeing a single image cardiologists and radiologists can see moving live images generated from inside the patient,” he said.
“The system produces significantly better images than previous machines, making it easier for doctors to see the areas they are operating on during keyhole procedures.”
The system would aid in non-invasive vascular access therapy to block and create cardiac holes, open heart valves, treat other major organs, insert catheters and map circulation patterns to record vascular function ahead of surgery.
Minister's office : 9422 3000
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