Today, Baptist Medical Center will be the first hospital in Mississippi to use the PET/CT cardiac imaging system, which is the most advanced technology for detecting disease in the coronary arteries. This particular imaging system fuses Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Computerized Tomography (CT) into a single unit revealing proper blood flow to the heart muscle.
“This PET/CT is the best noninvasive method to provide physicians with superior images for accruate diagnosis of coronary artery disease and heart function,” said Baptist Director of Cardiovascular Nuclear Medicine Alfredo H. Figueroa, MD. “The test does not require walking on a treadmill. It can be completed in approximately 45 minutes and also results in less radiation exposure than a traditional SPECT exam.”
Many hospitals use SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography) during treadmill tests to determine presence of narrowed coronary arteries. SPECT studies take a minimum of three to four hours over one to two days to complete. But, the PET/CT cardiac scan only takes approximately 45 minutes giving physicians improved and better information about the heart’s anatomy and function all in one setting. PET/CT overcomes imaging artifacts previously seen with SPECT studies in overweight patients.
Dr. Figueroa said, “The results from the PET/CT scan make it possible to interpret the data much more clearly and quickly determine the best option for treatment.” Candidates for a PET/CT cardiac scan are those needing a cardiac work up for chest pain. Patients are typically referred by their attending physician.
“PET/CT testing is on its way to becoming the standard of care for managing patients with coronary artery disease,” added Dr. Figueroa. Given a worldwide shortage of the radiotracer required for traditional SPECT studies, patients are faced with inconvenient scheduling, rescheduling and lengthy procedure times. Dr. Figueroa adds, “In a single test, PET/CT provides all aspects we need to make decisions in managing the patient’s care.”
Tags: calcium scoring, cardiac imaging, heart attack, heart disease, pet ct
