Planning a cardiovascular hybrid operating room: the technical point of view.

INTRODUCTION The integration of interventional techniques into cardiovascular surgery requires angiographic imaging capabilities in the operating room. A deep understanding of the technology and its implication for the surgical workflow is scarce. METHODS AND RESULTS Before planning a hybrid operating room, a clear vision for the utilization should be established. Commonly, the theaters are in interdisciplinary usage by interventionalists, anesthesiologists, and surgeons of various disciplines. The multitude of requirements determines necessary resources -- location, space, and imaging equipment. Besides fluoroscopy, intraoperative 3D imaging with the angiography system and its combination with fluoroscopy evolves as a very important imaging modality enabling the surgeon to navigate in 3D anatomy. CONCLUSION With the growing trend toward endovascular procedures during surgery, the hybrid operating room will become an integral part of every cardiovascular center. This new operating room concept enables new cardiac surgery therapies and will play a vital role for minimally invasive surgery. Careful planning and professional expertise is a key factor for every hybrid room project.