The NeuroIntervenional angiography Suite at the Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital is getting a major upgrade. The new system installed is called the Artis Icono Biplane. This equipment is considered breakthrough technology. It is not only an evolution in the way minimally invasive Neuroendovascular procedures are performed. The Artis Icono is a completely new generation of systems that provides the highest quality of images of the intracranial vasculature. The suite is equipped with technology that provides outstanding 2D, 3D and 4D angiographic images of the brain and spine with unrivaled resolution and visualization of the micro-catheters, wires and other devices used in Neuroendovascular procedures. All of this outstanding image quality and streamlined workflow is achieved with the lowest possible amount of radiation.Therefore, the procedures performed on this equipment are safer for patients and healthcare workers.

One of the main advantages of this innovation is the availability of obtaining high quality 3D images in a more efficient and faster way than ever before. This is particularly important when evaluating and treating intracranial aneurysms. The machine is also equipped with software that permits the analysis of the blood flow with extremely accurate temporal resolution making the treatment of arteriovenous malformations safer.

The new system is capable of performing DynaCT images in the angiography suite that now are very similar in quality to the images obtained on a traditional CT machine without the need of transporting the patient out of the room. With this feature DynaCT angiographic and perfusion evaluation for acute cerebral strokes is possible in the angiographic table if needed.  Post procedure DynaCT studies to evaluate results are also feasible without the need to take the patient away from the angio suite to a conventional CT machine.

The Neurointerventional Radiology team at Eskenazi Health includes fellowship-trained physicians who are board certified by the American Board of Radiology and have a certificate of added qualifications in Neuroradiology. They are also CAST (Committee for Advanced Subspecialty Training) certified Neuroendovascular Surgeons. The team also counts with dedicated advanced providers such as physician assistants and nurse practitioners.

We are excited to announce the opening of our new Neuroangiography Suite with the most advanced technology available in the world. This technology allows us to treat patients who have suffered from very serious neurological injuries, including acute strokes and ruptured brain aneurysms in a safer, more efficient and faster way.  I am proud to say that even these services have always been offered at Eskenazi Health by our team since 2012 and the acquisition of the new Artis Icono opens a whole new chapter in our service and will allow us to greatly improve patient outcomes, making it possible to provide the most effective treatments as quickly as we can.

As a matter of fact, with the acquisition of the Artis Icono, Eskenazi Health is one of 100 institutions worldwide with this kind of technology available.  It is only the second hospital in the whole state of Indiana where patients can be treated using this advanced technology.

The Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital earned stroke center accreditation in 2018 reflecting the advanced level of care Eskenazi Health provides to all stroke patients. This certification acknowledges the dedication of the Eskenazi Health Stroke Center staff for the implementation of best practices with the goal of achieving better outcomes for stroke patients.

When surveyors from The Joint Commission visited, they shared that they were impressed with everything Eskenazi Health’s stroke program encompassed after being fully developed in a short period of time. Highlights include nurses in the Michael & Susan Smith Emergency Department cutting thrombolytic administration times in half over the past year, all inpatient nurses earning certification to perform stroke assessments, and undergoing specialized stroke-specific education each year.

Thanks to the state-of-the-art technology now in place, Neurointerventional physicians at Eskenazi Health can offer the best possible Neuroendovascular treatment for acute strokes available in the world effectively removing the clots that obstruct the cerebral arteries. This translates in significantly better patient outcomes.

Juan Tejada, M.D.
Director of Neurointerventional Radiology at Eskenazi Health
Associate Professor of Clinical Radiology at Indiana University School of Medicine