University Hospital Unveils 64-Slice CT Scanner

LHSC has always had a proud history of innovation and excellence in patient care. Part of that pride comes from our ability to provide our patients with the very latest in technology. On Thursday, January 31, Cliff Nordal welcomed visitors and staff to the official opening of the General Electric Lightspeed 7-VCT 64-slice scanner at University Hospital.

The availability of this technology at UH means that patients will have access to the very best in imaging capability. The GE Lightspeed 7-VCT will enable LHSC physicians to obtain the critical information they need to make a diagnosis quickly, with less anxiety and stress for patients. It will offer spectacular views of veins and arteries which is a key diagnostic factor for cardiac and stroke patients.

Some of the many advantages of the new unit are:

• In a single rotation, the GE Lightspeed 7-VCT creates 64 high resolution anatomical images as thin as a credit card.
• It is non-invasive, fast and painless.
• Patients with complex medical issues including cardiac, neurological, abdominal, pelvic and orthopaedic conditions will benefit from the 3-D imaging available with the 64-slice CT.
• It will be an ideal diagnostic tool for patients with undiagnosed chest pain who have no obvious signs of heart disease or blockages based on standard testing.
• Superior image clarity will help physicians determine the best treatment option for patients presenting with chest pain.
• For patients with neurological disorders, the 64-slice scanner can cover twice the anatomy in a single scan with a single injection of contrast, without an increase in the radiation dose.
• Patients only have to hold their breath for 5-10 seconds rather than the 20 seconds needed for conventional CT scanning. This can be significant for patients with heart ailments, as well as for patients who are critically ill and on ventilators.
• A 64-slice CT scanner can capture the image of a beating heart in 5 seconds, an organ in 1 second and the whole body in 10 seconds, more than twice as fast as conventional CT scanners.
• The new scanner has unique safety features including an automatic adjustment mechanism that gauges the density of tissue and automatically adjusts to take the appropriate image using minimal radiation.

The physicians and staff at UH have been waiting with anticipation for the arrival and installation of the 64-slice CT. It will be a significant tool to help them manage the groups of patients being cared for at the UH site.

The unit was acquired in cooperation with our corporate partners at GE Healthcare. LHSC is grateful for their continued support.

Derek Clark, Enterprise Market Development Manager, GE Healthcare Canada, Glen Kearns, IVP, Clinical Support Services,

Dr. Richard Rankin, Radiologist and Cliff Nordal, President and Chief Executive Officer with the new GE Lightspeed 7-VCT 64-Slice Scanner at UH.