Cardiovascular Center Implements Revolutionary 320-slice Computed Tomography Scanner for State-of-th
The Cardiovascular Center at Brigham and Women's Hospital is offering the most advanced computed tomography imaging available. The Toshiba AquilionONE™ dynamic volume computed tomography (CT) system is the world's first organ volume CT scanner, featuring a remarkable 320 slices – each of0.5mm width. This provides simultaneous CT acquisition of a full 16cm volume. Before the introduction of the AquilionONE in November 2007, CT scanners were equipped with at most 64-slices, each 0.5mm. Thus, the3.2cm volume coverage is eclipsed 5-fold by the new 320-slice technology.
Pioneering Advances in CT
Frank J. Rybicki, MD, PhD, Director of Cardiac CT and Vascular CT/MRI and Attending Physician within the Cardiovascular Noninvasive Imaging Program at Brigham and Women's Hospital was one of three pioneering physicians who introduced the 320-slice technology at the2007 meeting of the Radiological Society of North America. Dr. Rybicki also demonstrated the earliest experience in 320-slice cardiac CT, including the first clinical whole-volume cardiac CT scan in the United States, performed at Brigham and Women's Hospital on November 7, 2007.
Unprecedented Capability
The great advantage of 320-slice cardiac CT is that the entire cardiac volume can be acquired with one rotation of the CT scan, advanced technology that uses x-rays to see cardiac morphology. Thus, cardiovascular imaging specialists at Brigham and Women's Hospital, led by Marcelo F. Di Carli, MD, Director of the Cardiovascular Noninvasive Imaging Program and Chief of Nuclear Medicine, can literally image the heart in a heart-beat. This allows significant reductions in the x-ray dose to patients.
In addition to having the technology that produces the shortest cardiac CT scan, the 320-slice CT technology also opens up new research opportunities that are difficult or impossible with traditional 64-slices scanners – in particular the study of myocardial perfusion and the noninvasive assessment of endothelial shear stress. The new 320-slice CT system is part of a full range of services in the Cardiovascular Noninvasive Imaging Program and will be housed in the new Carl J. and Ruth Shapiro Cardiovascular Center at Brigham and Women's Hospital – opening in May 2008. Other technologies include echocardiography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and new advances in nuclear imaging of the heart.
Information and Referrals
For more information regarding the Endoscopy Center, or to refer a patient, please contact our Referral Coordinators at (617) 732-9894 rbwhteleservices@partners.org.
Pioneering Advances in CT
Frank J. Rybicki, MD, PhD, Director of Cardiac CT and Vascular CT/MRI and Attending Physician within the Cardiovascular Noninvasive Imaging Program at Brigham and Women's Hospital was one of three pioneering physicians who introduced the 320-slice technology at the2007 meeting of the Radiological Society of North America. Dr. Rybicki also demonstrated the earliest experience in 320-slice cardiac CT, including the first clinical whole-volume cardiac CT scan in the United States, performed at Brigham and Women's Hospital on November 7, 2007.
Unprecedented Capability
The great advantage of 320-slice cardiac CT is that the entire cardiac volume can be acquired with one rotation of the CT scan, advanced technology that uses x-rays to see cardiac morphology. Thus, cardiovascular imaging specialists at Brigham and Women's Hospital, led by Marcelo F. Di Carli, MD, Director of the Cardiovascular Noninvasive Imaging Program and Chief of Nuclear Medicine, can literally image the heart in a heart-beat. This allows significant reductions in the x-ray dose to patients.
In addition to having the technology that produces the shortest cardiac CT scan, the 320-slice CT technology also opens up new research opportunities that are difficult or impossible with traditional 64-slices scanners – in particular the study of myocardial perfusion and the noninvasive assessment of endothelial shear stress. The new 320-slice CT system is part of a full range of services in the Cardiovascular Noninvasive Imaging Program and will be housed in the new Carl J. and Ruth Shapiro Cardiovascular Center at Brigham and Women's Hospital – opening in May 2008. Other technologies include echocardiography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and new advances in nuclear imaging of the heart.
Information and Referrals
For more information regarding the Endoscopy Center, or to refer a patient, please contact our Referral Coordinators at (617) 732-9894 rbwhteleservices@partners.org.
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