New Heart Imaging Technology Results in Better Diagnosis

For patients experiencing chest pain, new computed tomography (CT) imaging technology is helping doctors provide a faster and more accurate diagnosis of the source of their discomfort. Penn physicians are using this dual energy source multi-slice CT to produce three-dimensional, detailed images of the heart.

Better Technology, Better Diagnosis
This ground-breaking system uses two X-ray energy sources to produce images of the heart. The X-ray sources can be set at different energy levels to produce two different images from a single scan. Because the body's tissues and fluids appear differently when the energy is increased or decreased, radiologists are able to compare these two images to better analyze and differentiate visual details. This results in a more exact diagnosis.

“We can use these images to figure out the cause when patients are complaining of chest pain. Specifically, we may be able to characterize different types of atherosclerotic plaque, including whether a patient has any of the type more likely to rupture and cause a heart attack,” said Harold Litt, MD, PhD, chief of cardiovascular imaging in radiology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, in explaining the practical application of dual energy source technology.

“This new technology provides us with faster, sharper images of the heart, helping doctors better diagnose potential blockages, which could lead to heart attacks. Specifically, it allows us to take a picture of the heart twice as fast as the old 64-slice CT technology – at 83 milliseconds versus the old 165 milliseconds – with twice the imaging power. Since the heart is constantly beating and moving, the ability to ‘freeze' that motion is essential to capture high quality images of the coronary arteries,” said Dr. Litt.

More Breakthroughs and Advantages
Another breakthrough benefit of the technology is the removal of the heart rate factor. For the first time ever, it is possible to examine all patients, regardless of their heart rate. The faster “shutter speed” of the multi-slice CT eliminates the need to slow rapid heart rates with medication before imaging the heart. This saves valuable time for critical care patients.

Other advantages of the technology include the larger size of the scanner for increased patient comfort, quicker scan times and up to 50 percent less radiation than the old 64-slice CT imaging equipment.

With an interdisciplinary approach to medicine, Penn researchers, physicians and care givers work together to provide world-class clinical care.

“When patients come to Penn, they can be assured that our team of radiologists and cardiologists are armed with the scientific expertise and clinical knowledge which will result in the best use of this new dual energy technology for excellent cardiovascular diagnosis and care,” said Penn Chair of Radiology Nick Bryan, MD, PhD.

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