Toshiba Demonstrates CT Imaging Enhancements for Cardiac Procedures.

Business Editors/Health & Medical Writers

ORLANDO, Fla.--(BW HealthWire)--March 19, 2001

Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. (TAMS) is displaying its multi-slice Aquilion(TM), the fastest computed tomography (CT) system in the world, at the annual meeting of the American College of Cardiology (ACC).

With its half-second rotation-speed and ability to acquire eight 0.5 mm slices per second, the multi-functional Aquilion offers cardiologists and clinicians cardiac applications that are not just possible, but practical.

"Each year 150,000 Americans die from a first and fatal heart attack for which there were no warning symptoms," said Wes Strickland, product manager, CT. "Advanced CT techniques and procedures can be vital in the early detection of cardiac conditions, which in turn may result in less invasive, cost-effective treatment. With the Aquilion, fast moving organs can be easily imaged, with very little motion artifacts, making it an ideal technology for cardiac applications."

Expanded Capabilities

The rapid scanning ability and gating capabilities of the Aquilion make it ideally suited for cardiac imaging. When integrated with the Vitrea 2 for Windows(R) workstation, manufactured by Vital Images, the Aquilion also can perform Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring (CACS). This method captures scans using a 0.3 to 0.5-second prospective-gating technique.

This allows physicians to quickly and efficiently evaluate images, as well as generate a calcium-score report which can be useful in assessing the potential risk of heart disease in patients.

Less Invasive Angiography 

Cardiologists also benefit from the diagnostic enhancements provided by the technology in Coronary CT Angiography (CTA). This minimally invasive procedure helps identify the extent and location of blockages in the coronary tree using CT scans. The Aquilion uses retrospective gating to perform the coronary CTA, capturing cardiac images in as little as 0.3 seconds without the inherent costs and time associated with conventional coronary angiography.

A more efficient and less costly alternative, Toshiba's CTA technique also has the advantage of performing image selection and analysis off line, optimizing patient throughput.

Benefits of Peripheral Vascular Evaluation

Beyond CACS and CTA, the multi-slice Aquilion also allows for peripheral vascular evaluation using the industry's best isotropic resolution, which reveals more anatomical detail than previous CT technology. This provides data that the physician may use in the evaluation of stenosis obstruction and aneurysms.

With headquarters in Tustin, Calif., Toshiba America Medical Systems is a subsidiary of Toshiba America Inc., which employs 10,000 throughout the United States. TAMS markets, sells, distributes and services diagnostic imaging systems, coordinates clinical diagnostic imaging research and has responsibility for research and development for all modalities in the United States.

Toshiba's imaging products include CT, MRI, nuclear medicine, ultrasound, and both conventional and vascular X-ray systems. Toshiba Corporation is a major provider of electronics, energy systems and products and a $54 billion organization with over 191,000 employees worldwide.

Aquilion(TM) is a registered trademark of Toshiba.