Patients at SHN who need complex heart and blood vessel care can now receive faster, more advanced treatment closer to home. In its first five months of opening, the Hybrid Vascular Operating Room has supported more than 260 procedures, helping patients avoid multiple surgeries, shorten hospital stays, and recover more quickly.

This includes patients with blocked arteries, aneurysms, or those who need reliable access for dialysis.

Made possible by donors to the Love, Scarborough campaign, this state-of-the-art suite combines a fully equipped operating room with advanced, real-time imaging technology. Surgeons can perform both traditional open surgery and minimally invasive, image-guided procedures in the same space. Its unique flexibility allows care teams to adapt during a procedure, improving precision, reducing risk, and expanding the types of treatments available locally.

“The Hybrid OR allows us to do cases we never considered before, shortens wait times, and delivers huge benefits to our community,” said Dr. John You, Division Head for Vascular Surgery.

Before this space existed, many patients travelled downtown to tertiary care centres for complex procedures. Today, more patients can receive care closer to home at SHN, improving access and supporting continuity of care.

Why this matters

More capacity, faster care
The Hybrid OR has increased surgical capacity at SHN’s General Hospital, allowing urgent and complex cases to be treated sooner. Earlier access to treatment can significantly improve outcomes for patients with serious heart and blood vessel conditions.

Greater precision through advanced imaging
The Hybrid OR is equipped with cutting-edge imaging technology, including Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS), made possible through donor support. IVUS provides detailed, real-time images from inside blood vessels, giving surgeons greater visibility and control during procedures.

A major advantage of IVUS is its ability to create a detailed “roadmap,” helping teams navigate complex anatomy and perform procedures that were not previously possible at SHN.

This capability is already making a difference. In November 2025, the team performed a case using the Surfacer Inside-Out Catheter System, a technique used for patients requiring hemodialysis with blocked central veins. With the Hybrid OR in place, the team was able to take on this complex, life-changing procedure, one of the first of its kind in Ontario.

Fewer procedures, better outcomes
By combining imaging and surgery in the same room, patients often avoid multiple appointments or repeat procedures. This integrated approach can reduce complications, shorten hospital stays, and improve the overall patient experience.