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 St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital, Brisbane, is the first hospital in Queensland to install the very latest technology – a three-dimensional imaging device - to treat cardiac arrhythmias, or heart rhythm disorders.
Known as the CARTO 3 System, St Andrew’s has led the way with the new technology by performing the most procedures in Australia to date. Two other hospitals (in Perth and Melbourne) also have the system. To read more about this revolutionary new technology follow the link above.
St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital, Brisbane, is the first hospital in Queensland to install the very latest technology – a three-dimensional imaging device - to treat cardiac arrhythmias, or heart rhythm disorders. Known as the CARTO 3 System, St Andrew’s has led the way with the new technology by performing the most procedures in Australia to date. Two other hospitals (in Perth and Melbourne) also have the system. To read more about this revolutionary new technology follow the link above.
The device provides a 3D map of the heart in real time allowing cardiologists to perform less invasive, safer and more accurate treatment of complex cardiac arrhythmias, especially atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation is a condition where the heart does not beat properly increasing the risk of debilitating stroke. CARTO 3 works like a GPS, allowing cardiologists to pinpoint the abnormal heart muscle and keeping track of the catheter electrodes that the cardiologist uses to detect abnormalities. It provides a real-time, full-colour, high-resolution 3D map of the heart that is so accurate the cardiologist can treat more complex arrhythmias and detect abnormalities that could be missed using older technology. The cardiologist can visually enhance specific areas of interest within the heart. When abnormalities are identified, the cardiologist can destroy the tissue that triggers the abnormal heart rhythm or create a block in abnormal electrical pathways. This procedure is know as ablation and uses radiofrequency energy, similar to microwaves. The system is so fast and accurate that procedure times and radiation exposure are reduced, which means less risk for the patient and improved outcomes. Until CARTO 3, procedure times were citied by cardiologists as the most significant barrier to increased use of ablation therapy to treat arrhythmias. It is used on patients who have abnormal heart rhythms that cannot be controlled with lifestyle changes or medications, or for those who cannot tolerate medications because of side effects. St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital is part of the network of UnitingCare agenciesand services that provide quality and compassionate care to more than 14 000 people every day of the year. |
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