Reducing dose in cardiac CT
Siemens has a history of providing low-dose solutions for cardiovascular imaging. The SOMATOM® Definition Flash, Siemens' dual-source CT system, operates at a reduced radiation dose, capable of performing a spiral heart scan with a dose of less than 1 millisevert (mSv) in a quarter of a second in clinical routine (the average annual background radiation dose for humans worldwide is roughly 2.4 mSv). With the addition of Siemens' CT iterative reconstruction SAFIRE (Sinogram Affirmed Iterative Reconstruction), which can drive down doses up to 60 percent1, and the Stellar Detector - the first fully integrated detector that virtually eliminates electronic noise - the SOMATOM Definition Flash has the potential to enable clinicians to reduce patient dose even further.

Additionally, the SOMATOM Definition Flash and syngo.via Cardiovascular Engine are the ideal couple for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) planning.
Offering nuclear cardiology solutions
Nuclear cardiologists who use Siemens'Symbia® S and Symbia T single-photon emission CT (SPECT) and SPECT CT systems can dramatically reduce the length of imaging protocols via IQ SPECT, a field-upgradeable hardware/software combi-nation that enables the reduction of cardiac imaging protocols from 20 minutes to under five minutes. These shortened exams allow a sustainable approach to nuclear cardiology that potentially enables decreased radiation dose to patients, provides high-quality diagnostic information, and allows users to better utilize an imaging resource.

Additionally, Siemens' Biograph® mCT PET CT helps assess CAD and heart damage as well as differentiate living muscle from damaged muscle. Also featured with cardiac PET at ACC 2013: syngo Myocardial Blood Flow, which provides measurement of myocardial blood flow analysis with single-injection protocols and no additional scan time or dose.

Optimizing cardiac, vascular imaging with Dot
Cardiac MRI has established itself as an accurate, highly reproducible imaging modality, thanks in part to Siemens'Dot™ (day optimizing throughput) workflow technology. Developed to reduce the complexity of cardiac MRI scanning and to increase productivity, the Cardiac Dot Engine guides the user through cardiac exams. With a few mouse clicks, it automatically selects customized protocols based on the condition and clinical indication of the patient. Through user guidance, patient personalization, and exam automation provided by Dot, facilities can increase their productivity up to 50 percent.2 The Cardiac Dot Engine is available with the MAGNETOM® Aera and MAGNETOM Avanto 1.5T systems, and the MAGNETOM Skyra, MAGNETOM Spectra, and MAGNETOM Verio 3T scanners.

More HCB News