Geisinger Wyoming Valley Diagnosing Heart Disease Early with Non-Invasive Imaging Technology

WILKES-BARRE—Geisinger Wyoming Valley cardiologists and radiologists are working together to diagnose heart disease in a matter of seconds, thanks to a newly acquired imaging technology that produces a comprehensive, three-dimensional view of a patient’s heart and blood supply.
The images produced by the GE 64 slice Volume Computed Tomography (GE-VCT) Scanner are part of a non-invasive procedure that allows physicians to immediately detect calcium in coronary blood vessels and to image the coronary arteries which supply blood to the heart muscle itself. Compared to traditional testing methods, the scan takes seconds to be performed and does not require sedation or large doses of radiation.
For patients who exhibit risk factors, the scanner offers an alternative to more complicated, expensive procedures.
“In addition to providing extremely high-quality images, the scanner allows us to look for coronary artery disease in low risk patients without exposing them to the dangers of an invasive procedure,” said Dr. Jeffrey Folk, Director of Advanced Imaging Services. “This technology can reduce the number of cardiac catheterizations, and is an alternative for patients that can’t have a conventional angiography.”
The scanner creates 64 high-resolution images of the heart that are as thin as a credit card. The images are then reconstructed into a three-dimensional picture that can be rotated and examined from all angles, giving physicians a clear and immediate view of both significantly narrowed blood vessels and minor vessel blockages that are not severe enough to show up on standard tests. Prior to this technology, most medical centers offered Computed Tomography Systems that generated only 16 slices, resulting in a less comprehensive picture.
The GE-VCT scanner also provides a wide variety of applications that help in diagnosing disease within other parts of the body faster and more accurately than ever before.  Radiologists use this technology to identify and evaluate medical problems of the brain, internal organs, blood vessels and boney structures in great detail for a fast and more accurate diagnosis.
For more information about this new procedure, call the Pearsall Heart Hospital at Geisinger Wyoming Valley at 570.825.7515.

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