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Cardiac CT Angiography
Imagine. The most advanced heart diagnostics available anywhere.
It’s the newest innovation in heart disease detection. It’s non-invasive. It’s available through the Regional Heart Network.
Watch Dr. MacKrell talk about CT Angiography | download 
Frequency asked questions
No catheters. No incisions. No problem. Multi-slice cardiac computed tomography (CT) angiography, the latest innovation in the detection of heart disease, creates a 3-D image of the heart using X-ray technology. Cardiologists can assess overall heart function and detect blockages or narrowing of the blood vessels without the use of catheters, scalpels or anesthetics. Mobile cardiac CT angiography is technology created for your comfort and convenience, because it’s available to you in your community.
 Earlier detection of heart disease can save lives
Computed tomography is a valuable tool used to help diagnose life-threatening illnesses, including cardiovascular disease, the nation’s leading killer. The possibility of discovering heart and vascular disease in an early stage, before the onset of serious symptoms, helps doctors recommend the most effective treatment options and lifestyle changes to patients.
“Our new CT system offers a great combination of diagnostic precision and patient comfort. It’s a powerful tool in the fight against heart disease that we at the Regional Heart Network are pleased to be able to offer to the community, “said Ross Peterson, MD, cardiologist at the Saint Vincent Heart Center and medical director for the Regional Heart Network mobile cardiac CT services.
Mobile technology
Not only is the most advanced cardiac imaging system now available, it’s mobile. There are only a handful of other facilities in the country offering this technology in a mobile setting. With mobile CT scan, we are bringing this technology right to the cardiac patients at their regional hospital so they don’t have to travel to Erie or another major city to receive this test.
 Collaboration of interpreting physicians
By delivering advanced cardiac CT angiography services in a mobile configuration, the Regional Heart Network and its member hospitals continue their tradition of enabling Saint Vincent Health Center specialists to collaborate with local hospital specialists and primary care physicians. The diagnostic images acquired through cardiac CT angiography are interpreted by a team of physicians including Saint Vincent cardiologists and local hospital radiologists. This joint effort ensures prompt access to test results, provided by trusted specialty physicians.
Our advanced CT scanner can help detect disease earlier
Patients and physicians can now access the latest in diagnostic cardiac imaging technology through the Regional Heart Network. The network’s new technology is a mobile, multi-slice computer tomography scanner (sometimes referred to as a “CAT” scan) that produces crisp, detailed images of the heart in mere seconds. These pictures of your cardiovascular health help determine if you’re at risk for heart disease.
Doctors should be able to find out how healthy your heart and cardiovascular system are without using a scalpel. This advanced imaging tool can help your doctor asses your risk of coronary heart disease in a less invasive way. Our CT scanner can provide a painless diagnostic test that can help your doctor evaluate your risk of heart disease.
 Patient Benefits of Mobile CT Angiography
- It’s non-invasive
- It’s painless
- It’s fast
- There’s no healing time
The Procedure
Cardiac CT angiography is quick and painless. You lie down on a moveable table that slides through the CT scanner. Then the X-ray tube on the scanner rotates around you, taking enough images to produce a clear 3-D image of your heart. Unless an emergent blockage is detected, you go home, and a report is sent to your referring physician. It’s that simple. It’s that accurate.
Other diagnostic tests
Cardiac CT angiography compliments most other diagnostic tests, but doesn’t replace them. Patients with abnormal or inconclusive results from a stress test or echocardiography may benefit from cardiac CT angiography, particularly in cases of pre-operative evaluation, high-risk or complex cardiac catheterization (i.e. significant aortic disease, difficult vascular access or multiple bypass grafts), congenital anomalies, and prior to electrophysiology procedures (i.e. atrial fibrillation ablation or BiV-ICD implantation). Primary care physicians may consult with Regional Heart Network hospital cardiologists and radiologists to determine the best uses for cardiac CT angiography for their patients.
Frequency asked questions
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