Hybrid Congenital Cardiac Operating Suite Opened

A newly inaugurated state-of-the-art operating suite designed specifically around the cardiac surgeon and cardiac surgical patient is offering new advanced access and imaging in an operating room (OR) environment.

The hybrid congenital cardiac operating suite at The Heart Center at Nationwide Children's Hospital (Columbus, OH, USA), is the first of its kind in the United States. The suite has been designed to accommodate the collective catheterization and surgery team involved in a hybrid case (surgeons, interventional cardiologists, electro physiologists, echo cardiographers, cardiac anesthesiologists, advanced level nurse practitioners, physicians' assistants, catherization/O.R. nurses, technicians, and perfusionists). The OR theater is equipped with a fixed base surgical table, specialized booms and surgical lighting equipment allowing for more precise and consistent imaging. Nine interconnected flat panel detectors (FPDs) offer a better quality picture, which facilitates more accurate assessment and diagnosis; at least two monitors are visible to all team members at any time, from any location.

The hybrid congenital cardiac operating suite can accommodate any cardiac surgical case, catheterization or collaborative hybrid procedure. Staff members can transmit information anywhere in the suite, at remote sites within the hospital, or even to countries around the world, enabling consultation with physicians in distant countries. A non-sterile control and observation room serves as an educational and training resource for students, staff, and faculty, and can be accessed from around the globe.

Congenital heart defects are present in about one percent of live births. While most often scientists are unsure of how a patient contracted a specific defect, advancements in pediatric cardiac care such as hybrid procedures are changing treatment options to help children live healthy, normal lives.


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Nationwide Children's Hospital