Santa Monica, CA - In its continued efforts to provide patients today's most advanced diagnostic imaging technology, Pacific Heart Institute, affiliated with Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, has announced that it recently acquired the new D-SPECT™ nuclear imaging camera to help doctors enhance the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease.

The D-SPECT camera, developed by Spectrum Dynamics, utilizes innovative nuclear imaging technology to provide sharper diagnostic images of the heart and measures heart muscle blood flow and function for patients with heart disease or suspected heart problems. These 3-D images are available within minutes while patients relax comfortably in a recliner. Using safe, small amounts of internally administered radioactive materials (radioisotopes) and specialized imaging technology, the single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) camera provides improved sensitivity by collecting a sophisticated roadmap of images that shows blood flow through the heart muscle and heart chambers. This technology is capable of acquiring patient data up to 10-times faster than a conventional sodium iodide-based system and provides clinicians with cardiac flow data.

"The D-SPECT camera's nuclear imaging technology produces sharper diagnostic images to detect blockages and other significant problems in coronary arteries that we were once not able to attain," said Nicole Weinberg, MD, cardiologist at Pacific Heart Institute and Saint John's. "By being able to more quickly and accurately diagnose heart disease and other heart ailments, we can significantly enhance clinical outcomes."
The new technology also allows patients to be safely evaluated with a fraction of the radiation dose administered by other invasive and non-invasive X-ray coronary imaging methods and without the use of contrast agents, a known risk for patients with kidney disease.

Results of personalized, patient-centered imaging using D-SPECT technology allows cardiologists to determine the need for heart catheterization, angioplasty or bypass surgery, or medications for patients with heart disease. In addition, nuclear imaging helps doctors evaluate the effectiveness of these therapies.

"By having the ability to rapidly assess the effectiveness of prescribed therapies, we have the option of either maintaining the current course of treatment, if effective, or altering it so we can achieve the best possible outcome for the patient," said Dr. Weinberg.

For more information about the D-SPECT™ nuclear imaging camera, please call Pacific Heart Institute at (310) 829-7678.

About Saint John's Health Center
Since its founding in 1942 by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, Saint John's Health Center has been providing the patients and families of Santa Monica, West Los Angeles and ocean communities with breakthrough medicine and inspired healing. Saint John's provides a spectrum of treatment and diagnostic services with distinguished areas of excellence in cancer care, spine, orthopedics, women's health, cardiac care and specialized programs such as the internationally acclaimed John Wayne Cancer Institute. Saint John's is dedicated to bringing to the community the most innovative advances in medicine and technology. For more information, visit www.newstjohns.org.

More HCB News