3-Dimensional Heart, Brain, Artery Images Are Created In Minutes

OSF Saint Anthony Is First, Again, To Put New Technology To Work For Our Patients
New CT technology available at OSF Saint Anthony is making an excellent first impression on those using it.

"I wish every test and treatment were so fast and so effective," says Cynthia Kelly, 40, of Belvidere, who became the first patient at the medical center to undergo the test.

OSF Saint Anthony is the first medical center in the region to install and use a GE LightSpeedVCT scanner. The device creates 64 high resolution images that combine to form a three-dimensional view of a patient's anatomy. It also grabs images in just a few seconds, making the test faster and easier.

The LightSpeedVCT has many uses. A major issue for physicians caring for emergency department patients experiencing chest pain is to be able to quickly rule out (or in) coronary artery disease, pulmonary embolism, or a tear in the aortic artery. However, finding the cause of chest pain can be a lengthy process. However, the LightSpeed scanner can diagnose these causes of chest pain in minutes and allows physicians to carry out the proper treatments.

3-D Images

"It not only gives us a three-dimensional view of the heart and the arteries, but it provides information about what type of plaque is in the arteries. This is important in evaluating whether someone needs an additional intervention such as a stent to open the artery," said Robert L. Minor, Jr., MD, Cardiovascular Services.

The scan is faster, less invasive and an easy test for sick patients to tolerate. The scanner is often used in place of angiography, a minimally invasive procedure that creates X-ray pictures of the heart, arteries and blood vessels.

Cynthia Kelly said she had experienced mild chest discomfort and occasional light-headedness for about a year before seeing Dr. Minor. Although Kelly appeared to be in good overall health, her symptoms troubled Dr. Minor. He wanted more information about the health of her cardiovascular system but didn't want to schedule an invasive angiogram procedure.

"Dr. Minor told me he wanted to use a new scanner that is quicker and less painful than a standard test," said Kelly. "I was excited to be this first person to have a chance to benefit from the test. It was easy, fast and found the problem."

The scan revealed a blockage in one of her coronary arteries. Kelly was taken to the cardiac cath lab at OSF Saint Anthony and Dr. Minor implanted a coronary artery stent to open the artery. Later the same day, she went home. "I feel great; better than I have in more than a year," said Kelly.

More Than Hearts

The GE LightSpeed Scanner is also used to diagnose peripheral vascular disease.

Peripheral vascular disease refers to diseases of blood vessels outside the heart and brain. It's often caused by atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) that restricts blood flow. "This test has great value for people suspected of having peripheral vascular disease, blockage of the carotid arteries and pulmonary embolism," said Martin Urban, MD, an interventional radiologist at OSF Saint Anthony.

When a stroke occurs or is suspected, treatment must take place as quickly as possible. This new scan provides the speed and resolution required for rapid imaging of blood vessels in the brain, and enables a physician to make a quick diagnosis and determine the best course of treatment. In addition, the scan can reveal atherosclerosis in the carotid arteries of the neck.

"Many patients who would otherwise need a diagnostic angiogram can now have a scan instead," Dr. Minor said. "If a stent needs to be placed to open a carotid artery, we can perform the procedure immediately. After the procedure, a second scan lets us see how much blood flow to the brain has been restored."

From tiny blood vessels, to heart attacks, major traumatic injuries, and blood flow in a stroke-starved brain, the new scanner gives doctors at OSF Saint Anthony crystal-clear images that help us provide care "second to none."