Leading Edge
Heart Scan: Nuclear Technology Provides New, More Comfortable Cardiac Test
As a long-time medical technologist, Margaret Stokes knows part of the success of an imaging test – especially one that takes time to administer - is patient comfort.
“If the patient is not comfortable, they will fidget, which impacts the quality of the image,” says Stokes. “Being at ease can not only make a difference in terms of what radiologists can see and diagnose, it makes for an overall better patient experience. They are much happier.”
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston is the first in New England to offer the Cardius X-ACT Rapid Cardiac Imager. Unlike traditional nuclear scan technology which usually places the patient lying down on their stomach with hands above the head, the Cardius imager allows the patient to be seated upright without strain on any part of the body.
“I’ve seen patients who have had cardiac surgery or pulmonary diseases have real trouble being still for a scan lying down,” says Stokes. “Those who have had both the older test and this newer one can’t say enough about the advance in technology.”
This advanced imaging also takes about half the time—the test can be completed within two hours. The open design of the machine is also easier on patients who are larger or claustrophobic.
Patients are sometimes referred for cardiac imaging by primary care doctors, internists and cardiologists after experiencing symptoms such as chest pain or pressure. They also may need imaging after having a cardiac procedure. Part of the test is a stress study, where an image of the heart is taken before and after the patient exercises on a treadmill.
By using the computer to slice and spin the high-resolution 3-D scans taken by the Cardius imager, radiologists can see any part of the heart, and the blood flow surrounding it, making diagnosis better and faster than ever before.
“One of the great benefits of this technology is that we get the results quickly and can pass them along to the physician that ordered the test—usually the same day,” says Dr. Gerald Kolodny, an expert in nuclear medicine at the medial center. “That means the patient gets diagnosed faster and can be treated as quickly as possible.”
To make an appointment for the scan, ask your physician to refer you by calling 617-667-2071.
