At the Saint John Regional Hospital, the New Brunswick Heart Centre is home to world-class cardiac care, serving patients from across the province with life-saving surgeries and leading-edge treatments. But as technology continues to evolve, so too must the spaces where care is delivered.

In a recent interview, Dr. Christopher White, Division Head of the Cardiac Surgery Program, shared how a hybrid operating room will transform heart care for New Brunswickers and why donor support is essential to make it possible.

Marrying Technology and Care

Dr. White explains that a hybrid operating room combines the capabilities of two advanced spaces: a fully equipped cardiac operating room and an interventional cardiology suite. This integration allows surgical and interventional teams to work side by side, using state-of-the-art imaging to perform both open-heart and minimally invasive procedures in the same space.

“A hybrid operating room marries the technology of an advanced cardiac OR with the imaging capabilities of an interventional suite,” says Dr. White. “It lets us bring the best of both worlds together to better treat patients.”

Expanding Capacity and Reducing Wait Times

Currently, many hybrid procedures are performed by borrowing time and space from other hospital services. This limits capacity and increases wait times for patients awaiting heart surgery.

“Having a hybrid OR in Saint John will allow us to increase our operating room capacity and reduce wait times,” Dr. White explains. “It will also free up time for other services, like interventional cardiology, so they can care for more patients as well.”

The new hybrid OR would be the only one in the province dedicated to cardiac care, ensuring that patients from across New Brunswick can continue to receive the most advanced treatments close to home.

Keeping Pace with Innovation

Cardiac surgery is a rapidly evolving field. New procedures, such as transcatheter valve implantations that replace heart valves without opening the chest, rely heavily on advanced imaging. For Dr. White, having a hybrid operating room is essential to continue offering the latest and most effective treatments.

“Cardiac surgery is evolving quickly,” he says. “To attract and retain the next generation of surgeons, we need to have the technology they’re trained to use. A hybrid OR allows us to maintain a modern standard of care.”

Powered by Donor Support

Dr. White emphasizes that advancements like this are only possible through philanthropy.

“Our healthcare system simply doesn’t have the funds for this type of investment,” he says. “Donor support is the only way we can make these large leaps forward and maintain a modern standard of care.”

Every Complex Surgery Saves a Life

For Dr. White, the phrase Every Complex Surgery Saves a Life is more than a campaign message. It is a reminder of what is at the heart of every procedure.

“Every patient we operate on is someone’s loved one, a husband, a father, a brother. That’s why every complex surgery truly saves a life.”

The Future of Heart Care Starts Here

With donor support, the Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation can help bring this transformative technology to the New Brunswick Heart Centre. It will increase capacity, shorten wait times, and ensure patients continue to receive world-class care right here at home.

“This technology will transform the way we provide heart care,” says Dr. White.

“With your support, we can continue to provide the best care for New Brunswickers, today and for generations to come.”