September, 2007

The Stern Cardiovascular Center will become the first in the city to use the industry's first ever computed tomography (CT) scanner that maintains outstanding image quality while reducing a patient's radiation exposure by up to 70 percent for certain diagnostic cardiac scans.

The GE Healthcare LightSpeed VCT XT is capable of capturing images of the heart and coronary arteries in as few as five seconds with an innovative application called SnapShot Pulse, a prospective triggered gating process.

In standard cardiac CT exams, the X-ray is on for the duration of the scan, even during periods when a patient's heart is at an undesirable phase for diagnostic imaging. SnapShot Pulse introduces a timed, automated response to a patient's heart rate, ensuring the X-ray is only on for optimal portions of the scan. SnapShot Pulse effectiveness is further increased by the LightSpeed VCT's place as the industry's first multi-slice scanner to use step-and-shoot scanning for cardiac acquisitions. This allows the table to move from one location to the next to cover the entire volume of the patient's heart.

"I've been using cardiac CT for years, and this is the most exciting development that I've seen," said Dr. David Holloway, President of The Stern Cardiovascular Center,"The patient benefit is indescribable."

The Stern Cardiovascular Center 's physicians will perform the first scans using SnapShot Pulse beginning in October. Please contact the Diagnostics Appointment Secretary at 271-1000 to reserve a spot.