Saturday, June 6, 2009 and
Sunday, June 7, 2009
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CT Scanner Aspen Valley Hospital's CT scanner is the SOMATOM Sensation scanner from Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc. The 64-slice CT scanner provides the finest image quality to assist in the diagnosis of a variety of conditions. Its innovative design provides optimal patient comfort by minimizing the closed-in feeling which patients sometimes associate with CT scanning. The Aspen Valley Medical Foundation contributed $750,000 toward the $1.4 million piece of equipment."This CT scanner provides us with outstanding diagnostic information by enabling us to perform multi-slice CT on a routine basis," said Dave Hollander, MD, Aspen Valley Hospital radiologist. "For example, we can scan patients in a single breath hold, which results in more accurate diagnosis while also reducing examination time and increasing patient comfort. This is especially important with pediatric and trauma patients. It allows us to take care of our patients in the best possible way." CT technology is an indispensable tool in medicine, and it is also an uncomplicated and painless type of medical evaluation. It is used for a variety of examinations of the body. For example, CT can assist in:
Heart attacks are currently the most common cause of death in the U.S. If you would like to know if you are at risk for heart disease, ask your family doctor about undergoing a cardiac CT examination. Such an examination can not only tell you more about the calcium load in your coronary arteries, a know predictor of the risk for a heart attack, but also can indicate the presence or absence of lesions called "plaques" which may cause narrowing of these arteries, reducing blood supply to the heart muscle and leading to a heart attack. There are two examination methods available. One is calcium scoring, an exam which can be performed in approximately 15 seconds. A positive coronary calcium score result serves as a good indicator of the risk for certain types of heart attack. A negative calcium score result is a good indicator that coronary vessels are intact. Another method is CT angiography of the coronary vessels. This detailed examination is performed by injection of a contrast medium into a vein. ECG electrodes are positioned on the patient's chest in order to synchronize the scanner exactly to the patient's heart rate. This makes it possible to acquire a complete 3D scan of the heart — a "virtual trip through the heart" — without a catheter. And this examination takes only 20 seconds. The precise results of this exam provide the doctor with information about the condition of the patient's coronary vessels. The early detection of lung cancer is also enhanced through the use of the scanner. Throughout the world, lung cancer is the most commonly occurring form of cancer. Since the symptoms of this disease usually first appear in its advanced stages, the chances of recovery in such cases are often quite poor. However, if lung nodules can be diagnosed early enough, before they have a chance to spread, it may be possible to successfully treat this disease. The CT image is acquired after the X-ray system takes extremely detailed cross-sectional images of the body. Based on the data acquired, the computer then generates diagnostic quality images. The radiologist is able to look at an extraordinarily precise image of the inside of the body, aiding the referring physician in diagnosis and ultimately treatment. For more information about CT scanning or other diagnostic capabilities at Aspen Valley Hospital, call 544-7396. |
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 "It was simply an A+ experience at all levels and at every juncture. Absolutely amazing staff, prompt treatment, and superb service. 100% fantastic. Made me want to live in Aspen. You should be proud of your staff and services. Congratulations." —AVH Patient |
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