Purpose-built pacing theatre with Alphenix Sky goes live at Countess of Chester Hospital

Last updated Oct 7, 2022

Countess of Chester Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has enhanced cardiac rhythm management and bradycardia pacemaker implantation services, following the installation of an Alphenix Sky ceiling-mounted C-arm.

As a turnkey project with Canon Medical Systems UK, the bespoke pacing theatre included the replacement of a 15-year-old system with the latest interventional imaging technology. The remodelling of the room also included lighting modifications to the right and left to enable greater versatility of pacing on both sides of the patient.

Polly Taylor operates the Alphenix ceiling-mounted C-arm.

“Chester has a growing ageing population and our pacemaker workload is increasing year-on-year by about seven per cent,” said cath lab manager Gareth Buckingham. “We do approximately 400 cases every year which makes us one of the bigger centres in the area.

“We’re also seeing an increased need of sub- pectoral pacemaker implantation, burying them a bit deeper, which previously meant patients were sent elsewhere for the procedure. Now, we have the set-up to do it here in the cath lab with the Alphenix Sky. This is better for the patient as it potentially means an appointment closer to home. This is just one example of how, by having the latest imaging equipment, we’re ready to seize new service opportunities that will improve patient experiences and outcomes into the future.”

Buckingham also pointed out that having a pacing theatre adjoined to the cardiology day unit assists with patient flow. “We try and pace within 24 hours of referral as this is a ‘get it right first time’ objective for our region. A good, robust fixed C-arm has enhanced the image quality and quickened clinical interpretation,” he said.

Picture: Senior radiographer Polly Taylor, staff nurses Amber Clarke and Sian Jones, healthcare assistant Helen Myers, cath lab manager Gareth Buckingham, staff nurse Jeanette Lovatt, consultant cardiologist Dr Dennis Caulfield, Canon Medical Systems UK service team leader, Midlands and north, Marc Ivison and clinical cardiac physiologist Raquel Domingues.

Published on page 8 of the August 2022 issue of RAD Magazine.