Our Neuro-Interventional Radiology department has been boosted by the launch of a new bi-plane angiogram machine at Queen’s Hospital, which will help clinicians deliver lifesaving treatments to patients who have suffered strokes and aneurysms, as well as treat our elective aneurysm patients.

Neuro-interventional radiology is a live technique which uses x-ray guidance to treat abnormalities of the blood vessels in the brain. This allows our radiographers to treat patients in the moment, during minimally invasive procedures.

Our new state of the art Philips bi-plane angiography machine, which has replaced an older machine at the Trust, uses next generation software to enhance efficiency and increase vessel visualisation during procedures. This means our radiographers can now control all applications within the theatre, while also reducing procedure times for our patients.

Sarah McSweeney, Lead Interventional Radiographer at our Trust, said: “Our new machine is fantastic and the quality of the images it captures are amazing. We can perform CT scan-like imaging and live 3D visualisation of the blood vessel, as well as reducing the radiation dose to our staff and patients.

“As technology evolves, it brings more software and equipment for us to use, which helps to improve patient outcomes. We are very excited as a department to use this new machine, as it will allow us to perform lifesaving treatments.”

This is the second bi-plane angiography machine at our Trust, as well as a single plane angiography machine, and the number of conditions we can treat continues to grow.