Every 29 seconds an American suffers a heart attack. The earlier you know your risk for developing heart disease, the closer you are to preventing it. The 64-slice CT gives physicians access to an important diagnostic tool that is currently the most advanced method in imaging available to detect heart disease in the early stages. Coronary artery calcium scoring (CACS) can detect the buildup of calcium inside the heart's arteries. The test produces a score that identifies the level of deposit and that can be combined with additional factors such as age, family history and cholesterol level to help your doctor determine your potential for developing heart disease. Should you take this test?
Go to lakelandhealth.org/heartsafe to take our online heartrisk assessment. If the results state that you are....medium/average to high risk of heart disease and you are a man age 35 and older or a woman age 45 and older, you could benefit from having a heart scan.
The technology behind the 64-slice CT Scanner Providing advanced medical care is a priority at Lakeland HealthCare. Another milestone in technology is achieved by the installation of the 64-slice computed tomography (CT) scanner - the AquilionTM by Toshiba American Medical Systems. By acquiring this technology, Lakeland joins a select group of elite facilities that are making CT exams shorter and more accurate than ever before. TheAquilionTM CVX 64 detector CT scanner with TeraRecon Aquarius Workstation and AquariusNET Server delivers high-speed and high-resolution imaging, which allows physicians to capture precise images of any area of the body, including the rapidly moving heart.
With each rotation, it produces 64 simultaneous 0.5 mm slices and gives isotropic volumetric data with a resolution of 350 microns. Thin-slice volume data is reconstructed and sent to the workstation for further processing. Post processing and advanced visualization algorithms allow the extraction of specific body parts. This will allow us to understand complex anatomy and diseases and open new clinical possibilities. Through state-of-the-art imaging technology, the scanner and workstation bring you uncompromised image quality at a level never seen before.
“Earlier CT technology was not fast enough to capture precise images of moving body parts such as the heart,” says Lakeland radiologist Nathan Jordan, MD. “The latest advancement in CT technology – 64-slice imaging – is now making it possible to evaluate the heart as well as surrounding structures.”
The Aquarius Workstation brings award-winning real-time 3D visualization technology to diagnostic imaging. Aquarius is designed to manage the most demanding volumetric datasets acquired from modern multi-slice CT scanners. Large slice studies such as run-offs or multi-phase cardiac studies with 2,000 or 5,000 slices can be rapidly studied in seconds.
The AquariusNET Server delivers interactive 3D images to radiologists and clinicians wherever they are, facilitating enhanced workflow and aiding patient diagnosis. Lakeland HealthCare now has this advanced technology available at both the Niles and St. Joseph facilities.
Applications of 64-slice detector CT Scanner detector of CT scanner Coronary CT Angiography (CCTA) The most exciting application of a CT scan is the visualization of coronary arteries. For years, conventional catheter-based angiography has been the gold standard for imaging coronary arteries. But now, the 64-slice CT scan is gaining a clinical foothold as a new non-invasive approach to study the heart and its arteries, particularly in patients at low to intermediate risk and atypical chest pain.
CCTA may help to determine the severity of coronary stenosis. It can identify calcified plaque and more completely evaluate soft and fibrous plaque, unlike a conventional angiogram. Recent research has shown that CCTA has a high negative predicting value for diagnosing coronary artery disease. Accordingly, if the CCTA is normal, we can confidently determine that a patient does not have significant coronary disease.
Cardiac Functional Assessment (CFA) Ejection fraction, wall motion and thickness can be assessed non-invasively from the data acquired for coronary artery visualization. Valve motion and cross-sectional evaluation of valves to measure stenosis is possible.
Visualization of Cardiac and Other Structures Post-processing and advanced visualization algorithms allow the extraction of specific structures including bones, lung tissue and soft tissue structures, which allows a physician to better understand complex anatomy. This data can be invaluable to surgeons in their preoperative planning to facilitate the increasing use of minimally invasive surgical techniques.
Cardiac Calcium Scoring A non-contrast enhanced CT scan is issued for Coronary Calcium Scoring which is a marker for coronary atherosclerosis. With a higher calcium score, there is a greater risk of an ischemic cardiac event. Calcium scoring has a high negative predictive value.
Calcium score is a better predictor of future coronary events than relying on the presence of risk factors alone.
CT Angiography (CTA) Blood flow in every vascular bed in the body can be evaluated with CTA. Because of ultra fast scanning, arteries serving the brain and those bringing blood to the lungs, kidneys, arms and legs can be evaluated non-invasively.
CTA is commonly used to evaluate the thoracic and abdominal aorta, along with various arteries including the pulmonary, renal, carotid, upper and lower extremity, and intracranial arteries.
Routine CT Scanning A 64-detector scanner produces precise diagnostic pictures within five to ten seconds, enabling one to "freeze" motion and better define certain disease processes. Incredibly small details can be seen in a matter of seconds.
Routine body imaging, including brain, neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis and extremities, will be imaged faster and with unprecedented details.
Incredible quality 3D images can be produced to enhance a diagnosis, especially in orthopedic and oncological imaging. These images are useful for evaluating tumor growth, complex fractures, equivocal fractures, post-operative evaluation, bone bar formation, and tarsal coalition. 350 micron isotropic voxel produces high quality 3D images for better diagnosis.
Virtual Colonoscopy This is an emerging noninvasive imaging technology for detecting colon polyps and cancer. Accepted applications include incomplete colonoscopy.
Indications for Cardiac CTA:
Exclusion of coronary artery disease in the low to intermediate risk patient
Detection of coronary artery anomalies
Equivocal results in stress testing or imaging
Evaluate status of bypass grafts and stents
Evaluate wall motion and valve function
Follow-up of persons with elevated calcium scores
Evaluation of cardiac masses or thrombus and pericardial disease
Coronary vein mapping
Clinical Indications for CT Angiography:
pulmonary embolism
carotid stenosis
aortic aneurysm/dissection
lower extremity arterial runoff for PVD or nonhealing wounds
renal artery stenosis
cerebral aneurysm
mesenteric ischemia
hepatic artery anatomy (for surgery)
To schedule a patient for imaging services, please call central scheduling 1-866-408-1311.
Click here to see Frequently Asked Questions by patients. Click here to learn more about our board-certified radiologist.
The earlier you know your risk for developing heart disease, the closer you are to preventing it. The 64-slice CT gives physicians access to an important diagnostic tool that is currently the most advanced method in imaging available to detect heart disease in the early stages. Coronary artery calcium scoring (CACS) can detect the buildup of calcium inside the heart's arteries. The test produces a score that identifies the level of deposit and that can be combined with additional factors such as age, family history and cholesterol level to help your doctor determine your potential for developing heart disease.
heart,” says Lakeland radiologist Nathan Jordan, MD. “The latest advancement in CT technology – 64-slice imaging – is now making it possible to evaluate the heart as well as surrounding structures.”
