December, 2007

RE: THE NEW ULTRA LOW RADIATION “STEP & SHOOT”

CARDIAC CT ANGIOGRAPHY

 

South Florida Medical Imaging Cardiovascular Institute (SFMICVI) proudly announces the recent upgrade of our 64-slice CT scanner with the ultra low radiation technology, known as “Step & Shoot”, for the performance of cardiac  CT angiography. The breakthrough technology acquires the study with 80% less radiation and with the same high resolution of standard cardiac CT (0.625 mm).

SFMICVI is the first center in Florida, and the second in the USA, to make it available   for the benefit of your patients. Philips and GE are the only CT manufacturers in the  world that offer this technology.

Benefits of this new technology are outlined below.

• Step & Shoot dramatically reduces the amount of radiation required to complete  the exam.  It is achieved by a highly sophisticated “SMART “computer program  that specifically targets the segment of the heart cycle with the least amount of motion (mid-diastole) and requires only 20% of the cycle.
• Only 4 heart beats and 100 cc of IV contrast are required.
•  The study is completed in a single short breath hold of about 10 seconds.
• Average radiation with Step & Shoot is about 3 mSv, which is similar to a Calcium Score and also about 75% less than a standard CT of the chest.

A current scientific paper demonstrated that in more than 1,000 patients that   underwent this test, there was a study success rate greater than 95%.

In order to qualify for Step & Shoot, patients must meet the following criteria:

• A heart rate under 65 bpm.  If not, administration of beta blockers may be  required.
• Little or no arrhythmia.
• Weigh less than 250 lb.
•  No LV functional information is required.

·          IV contrast not contraindicated.

 

 

Since cardiovascular diseases remains the number one cause of mortality in the US,   Step & Shoot opens a new realm of possibilities.  These include the potential application of coronary artery disease risk assessment in younger patients and follow-ups at    shorter intervals without the concern of excessive radiation exposure. The cost of the study is under $1,000.

SFMICVI was voted in the top 10 Outpatient Imaging Centers in the USA. It is also amongst the first to be accredited and certified by the Society of Cardiac Computed Tomography (SCCT), as a Level 3 Teaching Center. We are pioneers in the field of cardiac CT and established the first cardiac CT teaching center in the world, sponsored by Philips.