Hallym University Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital

Hallym University Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital adopted a high-performance angiography device only for gastroenterology that can perform both endoscopy and X-ray at the same time. The hospital introduced the world's first angiography equipment exclusively for gastroenterology this month.

The Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology at Hallym University Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital is actively performing Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and various types of endoscopic ultrasound-guided interventions. In order to further activate the high-level ultrasound endoscopic intervention and maximize the patient's treatment effect, angiography equipment exclusively for gastroenterology was introduced.

There were some cases in which angiography equipment was used together with the Department of Radiology for highly advanced endoscopic intervention in the gastroenterology department, but this was the first case in which it is used only in the Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology.

The ‘Artis Q Celling System’, a high-performance angiography device introduced this time, can perform both endoscopy and X-ray imaging at the same time. The image processing and acquisition time is faster than previous equipment, so it can greatly reduce the shooting and operation time. By creating 3D images with 65,000 colors, you can check the excellent quality of high-resolution image from various angles, enabling accurate procedures.

Also, the radiation dose was reduced to a minimum. After checking the patient's physique, the optimal dose is calculated, enabling accurate and safe examinations with very low radiation dose. Rapid and accurate diagnosis and treatment are possible through an application with a sophisticated navigation system.

Professor Se Woo Park from the Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology at the Dongtan Hospital said, "With the adoption of this angiography device exclusively for gastroenterology, complications can be drastically reduced by more precisely observing target organs, bile ducts or pancreatic ducts during highly advanced ultrasound-endoscopically guided interventions." He also added, “We will further expand the indications for ultrasound-guided interventional surgery and provide the best treatment results to patients.”

By Hyun Ho Choi, Int’l Cooperation Team, HUMC (dullie1989@hallym.or.kr)