Looking @ Your Heart In a Whole New Way
The times, they are a changin’. Learning more about your heart just got a whole lot easier. Lake Regional Heath System recently installed the D-SPECT Nuclear Cardiology System which produces three-dimensional (3D) images representing the blood flow within the arteries of the heart. This new, innovative imaging technology is a breakthrough in speed and comfort for patients.
Typically, patients experiencing pain in the chest or upper abdomen, or even classic angina, are candidates for this noninvasive procedure which screens patients for cardiovascular blockage.
“After a physician has ordered the procedure, we can quickly eliminate or confirm the presence of blockages,” noted Nathan Evans, a certified nuclear medicine technologist at Lake Regional. “The result is peace of mind for both the patient and the physician.”
The D-SPECT can complete a scan in only two minutes, a significant improvement compared to other technologies that require 12-20 minutes. Also, conventional methods with long scan times often require patients to place their arms behind their head. Uncomfortable patients move during the imaging process, and that compromises the quality of the screening. With D-SPECT, patients no longer are required to raise their arms which improves comfort. The shorter scan times yield better images.
The D-SPECT also collects much more useful data about a patient’s heart and the way it receives blood. Conventional nuclear cardiac cameras acquire 64 reference images of the heart, while the D-SPECT camera acquires 1,080 reference images of the heart.
Shorter acquisition times and the improved resolution available with the D-SPECT system produces results that are faster and more accurate than standard, more conventional nuclear cameras.
“This new system has improved our ability to screen for and detect significant blockages within the coronary arteries,” Evans said. “This technology is redefining molecular imaging in ways we never thought possible. It is a real benefit to nuclear medicine and our patients.”
Lake Regional Heath System is one of the first 10 hospitals nationwide to receive one of these systems, joining facilities such as Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
“This truly sets us apart as a hospital by placing us ahead of the curve,” Evans said.
“It also reflects the health system’s commitment to continually provide the very best cardiac services to the lake community. We are confident this technology will elevate the level of service and confidence our patients continue to have at Lake Regional Heath System.”
For more information on D-SPECT screening, consult your physician.
Category: Health
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