64-Slice CT: New possibilities in diagnostic imaging
Breakthrough technology
64-Slice is ushering in a new era in CT imaging by giving physicians the
ability to see more anatomical detail in only a fraction of the time. The new
technology is now available at 4 hospitals:
Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center, Milwaukee
Aurora BayCare Medical Center, Green Bay
Aurora Medical Center in Oshkosh
Aurora Medical Center in Kenosha
Faster, easier, less risk and lower cost
Requiring little more than an injection of x-ray contrast through an IV
placed in the arm, the speed and resolution of 64-Slice CT angiography allows
physicians to view even the smallest of arteries in the brain, heart, and
peripheral vascular system. Setting a new standard, 64-Slice CT offers patients
an alternative to traditional angiography:
It's faster -- the exam is15-30 minutes compared to 4-5 hours with
traditional angiography
No require recovery time, since patients can leave as soon as their exam
is complete
Fewer risks compared to traditional angiography, since an arterial
puncture is not required
It's is less expensive than traditional angiography
Non-invasive imaging of the coronary arteries
When a cardiologist needs to diagnose coronary artery disease, cardiac
catheterization is the best tool. However, the speed and sensitivity of 64-Slice
CT now gives physicians a new way to view the heart and surrounding structures.
Coronary CTA captures thousands of images of a beating heart in mere seconds.
With exceptional detail, 64-Slice Coronary CTA allows physicians to view
calcified and non-calcified soft plaque in the coronary arteries.
The 64-Slice CT captures images of anatomy as thin as a credit card.
3-Dimensional reconstructed images are then formatted, allowing referring
physicians and their patients to easily review and understand the findings of
the CT scan.
Emergency room decisions: Diagnosing chest pain
Each year nearly 5 million people arrive at an ER complaining of chest pain,
yet only a fraction are having a heart attack. A Triple RuleOut™
CT scan allows physicians to quickly diagnosis if a patient is presenting with
coronary artery disease, a dissected aorta, or a pulmonary embolism, 3
life-threatening conditions all with the same symptom, chest pain.
Fast assessment of stroke patients
Once a stroke occurs, time matters. The faster a patient can be evaluated and
treatment begins, the better the outcome may be. 64-Slice CT offers the speed
and image resolution required for rapid examination of the blood vessels in the
brain, enabling physicians to make a quick diagnosis of stroke and determine the
extent of the damage.
A complete package
Although the 64-Slice CT is the new benchmark technology for CT Angiography,
the scanner offers unparalleled flexibility. With full-function capability, all
traditional CT studies can be performed on the 64-Slice CT, giving all patients
access to the latest in CT technology.
