(LONDON, Ontario) - London Health Sciences
Centre (LHSC) announced today that it has
acquired a new, state-of-the-art, CT imaging
system from GE Healthcare. The LightSpeed VCT
is GE`s first Volume Computed Tomography
system. LHSC can now offer an innovative way
for its physicians to obtain the information they
need to diagnose disease and life-threatening
illnesses, including cardiovascular disease, stroke
and chest pain.
LHSC physicians will now be able to capture
images of a beating heart in five heartbeats, an
organ in one second, and the whole body in ten
seconds, more than twice as fast as conventional
multi-slice CT scanners. This speed will be
especially helpful in shortening breath holds for
geriatric patients, patients who are on ventilators
and pediatric patients.
"Our new GE CT system will allow our
physicians to perform new and enhanced
procedures and obtain pertinent information in a
more timely manner for diagnosing patients. This
new technology is much more patient friendly as
the scan times have been drastically reduced
which, in turn, helps to reduce patient stress and
anxiety," says Tony Dagnone, President and CEO,
LHSC.
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 for physicians at LHSC to analyze. From
these images, physicians can view such things as
blockages in the coronary arteries, as well as the
motion and pumping of a patient`s heart.
"We`ll be breaking barriers in speed and
accuracy of patient exams, and will be able to
offer new and enhanced diagnostic procedures,
particularly for our trauma and pediatric patients,
thanks to our new LightSpeed VCT," says Dr.
Rethy Chhem, Chief of Radiology, LHSC. "Some
Volume CT procedures can be done in only one
simple exam, and this will greatly benefit both
physicians and patients."
LHSC is first in Canada to offer the GE
LightSpeed Volume Computed Tomography
system.
London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) is one
of Canada`s largest acute-care teaching hospitals,
dedicated to excellence in patient care, teaching
and research. LHSC has pioneered many national
and international medical breakthroughs. Located
in London, Ontario, LHSC has three sites -
University Campus, Victoria Campus, and the
South Street Site, along with two family medical
centres and the London Regional Cancer
Program. LHSC is the home of the Children`s
Hospital of Western Ontario and CSTAR
(Canadian Surgical Technologies & Advanced
Robotics). The research arm of LHSC is Lawson
Health Research Institute, which is also partnered
with London`s other teaching hospital, St.
Joseph`s Health Care, London. LHSC is affiliated
with The University of Western Ontario. Physicians
and staff at LHSC number close to 8,000 and
together, they provide care for more than 600,000
patients each year.
For more information, please
contact:
Judie Havers
Corporate Communications and Public
Relations
London Health Sciences Centre
(519) 685-8500, ext. 58738
E-mail address: judie.havers@lhsc.on.ca
Visit LHSC`s Media Web site at
http://www.lhsc.on.ca/media