64-slice Volume Computed Tomography (VCT) Imaging System

The 64-slice Volume Computed Tomography (VCT) Imaging System greatly improves the information doctors need to treat life-threatening illnesses such as stroke and chest pain.

Using the 64-slice VCT Imaging System, Mercy physicians are able to capture images of a beating heart in five heartbeats, an organ in one second and perform whole body trauma in 10 seconds.

Dr. John D. Simmons, a board-certified diagnostic radiologist and neuroradiologist at St. Mary’s Medical Center, says this new technology is changing how physicians diagnose disease and life-threatening illness.

“For our patients, this new 64-slice VCT will mean less radiation exposure and quicker, more comfortable scans. The increase speed of scanning will allow faster more accurate exams in areas traditionally studied with computerized tomography. It will also allow new applications in the heart, brain and vessels,” Dr. Simmons said.

Dr. William Burkhart, board certified in Family Practice with the Fountain City Family Physicians, says that the new 64-slice VCT is very patient friendly. “This speed is especially helpful in shortening breath holds for geriatric patients, patients on ventilators and pediatric patients while delivering outstanding image quality,” Dr. Burkhart said.

The LightSpeed VCT manufactured by GE Healthcare is being installed at St. Mary’s. It is the world’s first 64-slice CT machine and produces images in much greater detail that the earlier 16-slice or less CT scanners.

In a single rotation, the LightSpeed VCT creates 64 high-resolution anatomical images as thin as a credit card. These images are combined to form a three dimensional view of the patient’s anatomy. From these images, Mercy physicians can view such things as blockages in the coronary arteries, as well as the motion and pumping action of a patient’s heart.

Mercy Health Partners offers these innovative procedures by using the 64-slice LightSpeed VCT:

• 5-Beat Cardiac – The physicians at Mercy can capture images of the whole heart and coronary arteries in just five heartbeats. This provides clearer images of cardiovascular anatomy and a shorter breath hold for sick and elderly patients.
• Triple RuleOut – Three primary causes of mortality in patients with chest pain are aortic dissection, pulmonary embolism and coronary artery disease. Mercy doctors can use a single quick scan from the LightSpeed VCT to help them rule out (or in) these individual causes of patient’s chest pain.
• Stroke Work-Up – Once a stroke occurs, it is commonly believed that treatment mush be delivered in an hour or less to ensure the best possible outcome for the patient. The new LightSpeed VCT in operation at Mercy provides the necessary speed and resolution required for rapid imaging of blood vessels in the brain.

The 64-slice VCT scanner is available at Mercy Medical Center West, Mercy Medical Center St. Mary's and St. Mary's Jefferson Memorial Hospital. Ask your doctor about how this technology can benefit you. For more information call (865) 545-8815.