The Royal Free Hospital NHS Foundation Trust’s Heart Attack Centre has become the first in England to install the Artis icono floor from Siemens Healthineers. The addition of the multi-axis floor angiography system is part of a project to improve imaging quality at the trust, allowing more confident diagnoses and optimising clinical workflows.
The Heart Attack Centre is one of the busiest in London and performs a range of complex coronary procedures. The Royal Free began renovations in October 2019, later facing the setback of COVID-19. Despite delays, changing infection control guidance and a need to keep emergency services running, the project remained on track.
“We are very excited to be the first hospital in the UK, and one of the first in Europe, to make use of this new technology for cardiac purposes,” said group head of imaging Simone Towie.
“The Artis icono has a touch screen making it easier to use and more efficient. The system also produces high quality images, which means we can make a more accurate diagnosis and the dose delivered to patients is lower, so it is safer for them and our staff.”
The system has Optiq technology that clearly identifies structures and devices at a lower dose. With intuitive operation and procedural intelligence, the Artis icono is designed to speed up procedures and improve efficiency.
“As interventions become increasingly complex, there is a clear need for angiography systems that can optimise clinical operations, improve ease of use and extend procedural flexibility,” said Caroline Warhurst, cardiology business line manager at Siemens Healthineers GB&I. “The Artis icono, with its advanced imaging and connectivity features, is setting a new standard in cardiovascular care.”
Picture: The cardiology team with the Artis icono angiography system.
Published on page 9 of the June 2021 issue of RAD Magazine.