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Heartbeat: Advances in technology improving service in imaging

August 1, 2018

The spotlight was turned onto our imaging department at the annual general meeting where colleagues were able to showcase their achievements this year.

Group Director of Imaging, Dr Sarah Yusuf, along with Dr Bill Thomson, Head of Physics and Nuclear Medicine, demonstrated to guests at the AGM how they had been able to excel thanks to advances in technology over the years.

During their presentation, a film was shown demonstrating how the cardiac CT imaging service benefits patients through a non-invasive procedure which produces results within minutes of the scan.

Consultant Radiologist, Anthony D’Sa spoke to Heartbeat about the treatment, and also revealed how we will be one of the first in the UK to use specialist diagnostic technology which will transform the way heart diseases are managed.

The company HeartFlow has produced the Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) CT Analysis and it is the first non-invasive technology to track coronary artery disease.

It offers an in depth look inside the narrowing of an artery and whether it is impacting blood flow, and provides this information, based on a standard CT scan.

Anthony said: “Our cardiac CT service continues to grow in term of patient numbers and we are about to implement HeartFlow technology.

“We are one of the first in the UK to do this. It will enable us to do something different that is essential in making pressure measurements within the coronary vessels.”

From the CT images, Heartflow creates a complete geometric and physiological model of a patient’s unique coronary anatomy. It also analyses the fluid flow closely. The end result is a colour-coded map of the coronary arteries showing the extent of any “narrowings” which are disrupting blood flow. The doctor can use this to plan treatment.

Previously, to determine blood flow, an invasive procedure called an angiogram had to be carried out.

The Cardiac CT Service has grown rapidly since it first started, and now sees around 1,500 patients a year.