Apex Cardiology Offers The 64Slice Cardiac CT Scanner



Apex Cardiology is one of the only facilities in Southern California with a 64-slice cardiac CT scanner. It is one of the most technologically advanced machines of its kind. As seen on the Oprah Winfrey Show last week, it can scan the heart and vessels to determine if a person is at increased risk for heart disease. Computed Tomography (CT) is a painless, diagnostic procedure that uses special X-ray equipment to obtain cross-sectional images of the body. The CT computer displays these images as detailed three-dimensional pictures of the heart and even reveals the interior walls of the coronary arteries where the disease is located.

Mason Weiss, MD, FACC, Managing Partner of Apex Cardiology, explains that "the 64-slice CT scanner has the ability to acquire a complete coronary CT angiogram within 5-8 heartbeats." Prior to the introduction of this advanced CT technique, coronary artery imaging had to be performed in a hospital setting with an invasive procedure called a cardiac catheterization at higher costs and potential procedural risks. Apex Cardiology's 64-slice CT scanner provides information similar to the angiogram but in a non-invasive, outpatient procedure at significantly less cost.

This state-of-the-art scanner helps diagnose causes for chest pain and potential strokes within seconds and thereby increases the chances for prevention of a heart attack or stroke. The 64-slice CT scanner can determine if chest pain is caused by aortic dissection, pulmonary embolism, or coronary artery disease. It has been embraced by the cardiology community throughout the United States because of the benefits of its accuracy, low risk, low cost and high speed.

In contrast to conventional CT, which images the body slice by slice, Apex Cardiology's multi-slice CT acquires data continuously as the patient travels through the gantry. The X-ray tube can complete a 360-degree rotation in 0.37 seconds, creating slices as small as 0.4 mm. For patients, this translates into speed and diagnostic detail. A scan of the chest, abdomen and pelvis can be performed in 11 seconds during a single breath-hold.

Apex Cardiology is dedicated to utilizing the most advanced technology benefiting both patients and referring physicians. Patients experience more comfort and reduced scan times. Referring physicians receive clinical results that reflect the highest, most accurate resolutions possible and faster than conventional practice as Apex Cardiology sends the images and reports to the referring physician immediately via the internet.

Apex Cardiology is located in Inglewood, CA.



Apex Cardiology Offers The 64Slice Cardiac CT Scanner