Endovascular operating suite: future directions for treating neurovascular disease.

Object: The purpose of this study was to evaluate initial experiences in a surgical operating room (OR) with a multipurpose angiography unit, which offers integrated neurosurgical and radiological capabilities.

Methods: A specially designed biplane digital subtraction (DS) angiography system was installed in the neurosurgery OR. The new suite, which allows three-dimensional DS angiography with C-arm for computerized tomography and microsurgery capabilities, allows the neurosurgeon to perform a wide range of neurosurgical and endovascular procedures. Three hundred thirty-two procedures were performed in the endovascular OR between November 2003 and March 2005. Patients arriving in the emergency department were transferred to the endovascular OR without delay. The neurovascular team performed diagnostic angiography followed by endovascular interventional procedures or surgery.

Conclusions: The newly designed endovascular OR facilitates safe and systemic treatment of neurovascular disease.