Regency Specialist Hospital Implements Biplane Angiography Technology to Elevate the Standard of Medical Diagnostics

Medical devices often go unthought of during medical emergencies or surgical procedures despite their imperative role in positive patient outcomes. Regency Specialist Hospital (Regency) introduced a biplane angiography system to produce high-quality images while emitting the least amount of radiation.

Angiography is a type of X-ray used to check blood vessels to allow doctors to view any problems. This biplane angiography system goes beyond traditional angiograms and procedures. It is equipped with the technology to provide accuracy when diagnosing and guiding healthcare professionals during interventional procedures in cardiology and radiology.

Explaining the benefits of the machine, Dr Yeow Kee Min, Consultant of Clinical Radiology and Interventional Radiology, Regency Specialist Hospital shares, “The biplane angiography system is technologically designed to deliver precise intraoperative diagnostic results, meaning it can deliver accurate imaging during surgery. This machine has a combination of two different detectors located in two different areas, allowing for improved guidance during treatments. As a result, high contrast resolution is produced at any angle and for any patient size.

“Angiography uses ionising radiation, producing a radiation dose which can be concerning if the dosage gets too high. With this biplane angiography system, healthcare professionals have access to high image quality in advanced 3D imaging and visualisation of details such as vessels, devices, tissues and bones without the need for increased radiation doses.”

Equipped with Precise Technology for Cardiovascular Surgery
Coronary heart diseases were the secondary cause of death amongst Malaysians. Biplane angiography provides clinicians and patients with the technology to perform minimally invasive angiography quicker and at low radiation doses compared to conventional angiography machines. This biplane angiography technology provides the opportunity to elevate the diagnosis and treatment of difficult cases.

The technology also has the ability to improve clinical outcomes not only for coronary artery disease but also able to treat stroke and tumours in real-time. Research shows that stroke is the third leading cause of death in Malaysia, with the mean age of stroke patients ranging between 54 and 63 years of age. The Biplane angiography system allows healthcare professionals to capture, examine, and edit images instantly, improving the flow of clinical work and avoiding the need to move patients to a CT scanner. This feature is particularly vital in emergency situations where time is critical.

Dr Paul Ling Kah Hing, Consultant of Cardiology and Internal Medicine, Regency Specialist Hospital added, “The Biplane angiography technology can detect and produce sharp images of moving objects and high contrast resolution even at steep angulations. This is especially important for complex cardiovascular diseases and their interventional treatment because the machine can still produce high-quality images of coronary arteries even when the patient is breathing or moving without any disruption to the quality of the image. The radiation doses are also reduced by 60% with the optimised x-ray pulse feature, making it much safer for the patient.”

Explaining the machine’s use and benefits for neurological patients, Dr Ganesan Arthimulam, Consultant of Clinical Radiology and Interventional Radiology, Regency Specialist Hospital said, “Biplane angiography technology with its proprietary x-ray tube provides for better visibility of the finer vessels that are located within our skull and brain. Its detector technology with a manoeuvrable C-arm, offers better image quality at any angles, helping doctors better understand each patient’s unique vascular anatomy and disease process. With this technology our interventionalists are able to decide on the optimal treatment approach to obtain the best possible outcome for our patients.”

Commenting on the new investment, Serena Yong, CEO of Regency Specialist Hospital, said, “At Regency, it has been a priority to look for new ways to improve the quality of care that we provide to our patients; this is why we have continually invested in technology, and this biplane angiography system produces high-quality images while emitting the least amount of radiation, so healthcare professionals are able to give patients the best care possible no matter how simple or intricate their cases. This is a testament to our commitment to advancing precision medicine at Regency for the highest quality of care for our patients not only in Southern Malaysia but across Asia.

“We believe it is critical to diagnose patients quickly and accurately to provide the right treatment without delay. Equipping our radiology departments with the new technological advancements in medicine is part of our enduring mission to achieve a higher quality of patient care in Southern Malaysia and beyond,” added Serena.