INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Open for only two months,
The Heart Center of Indiana (THCI) is drastically changing the way patients
receive cardiac care. THCI is the first freestanding cardiac facility in the
United States to perform CT angiographies and is among the first in the nation
to perform whole-body vascular surveys. These advanced applications were
formerly performed only in research facilities.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20021029/SILOGO )
"Bringing the best in cardiac research imaging to the general population
means that anyone can have access to the latest applications and technology,"
explains Robert Dewey, Director of the Siemens Cardiology program. "Having
the latest imaging technology gives physicians at The Heart Center of Indiana
the power to non-invasively pinpoint signs of heart disease in its earliest
stages. This can mean the difference between life and death for patients."
Cutting edge CT applications are made possible with Siemens SOMATOM
Sensation 16 computed tomography (CT) scanner. The technology enables
clinicians to perform a variety of cardiac applications that were unavailable
using previous CT technology.
Siemens' 16-slice CT technology provides clinicians at THCI with a
non-invasive alternative to catheter-based coronary angiography. For the
first time doctors have hard evidence of heart disease without surgery. The
image resolution allows for visualization of small vessels and coronary
lesions as small as 0.5mm in size and the detail makes it possible to see
non-calcified, or soft plaque and other indicators of heart disease. Patients
can easily be diagnosed without the mental and physical stress of surgery.
"We believe noninvasive angiography, including CTA, will replace the
conventional angiogram as a stand-alone diagnostic procedure," explains Joseph
C. George, M.D., director of medical imaging for THCI. "Because of its high
negative predictive value (>95%), coronary CTA may be useful to exclude
coronary artery disease in select populations, such as young clients and in
clients with atypical chest pain. Preliminary studies also suggest the ability
to identify noncalcified, unstable plaque believed to be responsible for hard
coronary events."
Another cardiac advancement that can be seen at THCI is whole-body
vascular imaging. Most vascular studies focus on one specific area but
clinicians at THCI are able to perform a head-to-toe vascular survey using the
Sensation 16. This is made possible through the use of InSpace software,
which allows manipulation of large data sets with clip planes and rapid
visualization of vascular structures using advanced volume-rendering
technology (VRT). The speed and accuracy of the Sensation 16 allows
clinicians to attain such 'total-body' images.
"It is becoming more apparent that atherosclerosis is an inflammatory
process affecting the entire vascular system," added Dr. George. "The
vascular survey provides tremendous added value by allowing visualization of
the carotid and renal arteries as well as the pelvis inflow vessels."
The Sensation 16 has increased speed that provides a dramatic difference
when taking pictures of the heart, which is especially difficult since the
heart is always moving. Because more images are gathered in one rotation of
the CT gantry and can be viewed quickly, image quality increases
significantly, making doctors capable of seeing small vessels and other fine
anatomical details they couldn't see before without surgery. Even small
coronary arteries with less than one-millimeter diameter can be assessed with
the CT scanner.
Siemens Medical Solutions of Siemens AG (NYSE: SI) with headquarters in
Malvern, Pennsylvania and Erlangen, Germany, is one of the largest suppliers
to the healthcare industry in the world. The company is known for bringing
together innovative medical technologies, healthcare information systems,
management consulting, and support services, to help customers achieve
tangible, sustainable, clinical and financial outcomes. From imaging systems
for diagnosis, to therapy equipment for treatment, to patient monitors to
hearing instruments and beyond, Siemens innovations contribute to the health
and well-being of people across the globe, while improving operational
efficiencies and optimizing workflow in hospitals, clinics, home health
agencies, and doctors' offices. Employing approximately 31,000 people
worldwide and operating in more than 120 countries, Siemens Medical Solutions
reported sales of 7.6 billion EUR, orders of 8.4 billion EUR and EBIT of
1 billion EUR for fiscal 2002. More information can be obtained by visiting
http://www.siemensmedical.com.
SOURCE Siemens Medical Solutions
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Related links:
http://www.siemensmedical.com
Photo Notes:http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20021029/SILOGO
CONTACT:
Kimberly Cooper of Siemens Medical Solutions,
+1-610-448-1473, kimberly.cooper@siemens.com; or Amy Minick
Peterson of The Heart Center of Indiana, +1-317-579-1607
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