WellSpan York Hospital is now home to the world’s first “4D” imaging system to be used exclusively for non-surgical heart and vascular procedures.
WellSpan physicians, leaders and staff celebrated the addition during a ribbon-cutting event held Monday to officially open the hospital’s recently expanded cardiac catheterization lab. The expansion project is part of the health system’s ongoing commitment to provide state-of-the-art cardiovascular care to York County residents.
The new, Canon Alphenix four-dimensional computed tomography (4D CT) system will be used for heart catheterizations and other interventional cardiac procedures. The technology is expected to result in shorter procedure times and safer, more accurate heart and vascular interventions.
“Our heart and vascular team is recognized around the world for the care they provide, and having this system at WellSpan York Hospital makes us a destination for expert cardiac care,” explained Keith Noll, senior vice president, WellSpan Health and president, WellSpan York Hospital. “This is about giving our expert physicians all the tools they need to continue to provide exceptional care for our patients.”
The 4D technology takes numerous images and allows physicians to treat and verify their work right in the procedure room, rather that transferring patients between departments. This is expected to reduce the risk of infections.
“Speed is especially important in managing the critical needs of our patients,” said William Nicholson, M.D., interventional cardiologist and director of the cardiac catheterization lab, WellSpan York Hospital. “Valuable time will be saved when treating these patients with this system right in the lab.”
As the first in the world to use the Canon Alphenix 4D CT system for interventional procedures, Nicholson and his team of expert cardiologists will also lead the world’s first clinical research efforts using the technology.
“Heart disease is the No. 1 killer in both men and women. Our cardiologists, cardiac surgeons and vascular surgeons bring decades of experience to every procedure,” explained Chris Lipp, vice president of heart and vascular services, WellSpan Health. “With the added technology in these labs, it ensures patients in southcentral Pennsylvania can stay close to home to receive the advanced specialty care they need.”
With seven additional pre- and post-surgery beds, the expanded cardiac unit now boasts a total of 23 beds. The project also expanded the number of laboratories from four to six, allowing more patients to be treated more quickly.
The expansion project began last year and was made possible by reconfiguring existing space at the hospital. The additional labs allow for more procedures to take place, increasing access to this critical care.
Interventional cardiology procedures offered at the hospital include diagnostic cardiac heart catheterizations, coronary interventions (including stent implantations), treatment of chronic total occlusions, and transcatheter aortic valve replacements.
To learn more about WellSpan Heart & Vascular care, visit www.WellSpan.org/Heart.
