Spire hospital in Bushey has installed a new CT scanner which can perform a heart scan in less than a heartbeat. (From Watford Observer)

Spire hospital in Bushey has installed a new CT scanner which can perform a heart scan in less than a heartbeat.

12:08pm Tuesday 24th November 2009

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A hospital in Bushey took delivery of a new high-speed scanner today, which will help early detection of the UK's biggest killer.

Spire hospital became the first private hospital in the UK to install the advanced Siemen’s dual-source Computer Tomography (CT) scanner, which will be available for use from December 8.

The new scanner can take an entire scan of the human body in less than five seconds and can perform a cardiac scan in less than a heartbeat.

Most importantly it will replace difficult and invasive tests such as cardio-angiograms, used to detect early signs of heart disease.

Dr Anthony Nathan, consultant cardiologist, said: “Swift and accurate diagnosis is crucial for patients suffering with chest pains. The scan is less invasive than conventional angiogram, where dye is injected into the coronary arteries using a catheter.

“However, unlike other CT scans, the new scanner will speed up diagnosis and treatment, and minimises the patient’s exposure to harmful radiation. Coronary heart disease is a very treatable condition if it is caught early.”

Coronary heart disease kills 90,000 people year in the UK, one in five men and one in six women, and half of those are instantaneous.

Dr Nathan added: “It will change the whole attitude in how we deal with patients that show early signs of heart disease or who are more at risk and it will save the need for many angiograms.”

The scanner's two x-ray tubes produce high resolution images fast and with 40 percent less radiation.

Andrew Gore, hospital director, said: “Those patients who are anxious about undergoing CT scans can now be reassured that they will be off the table quickly.

“I am excited about the possibilities of this scanner in replacing more invasive tests including colonoscopies and peripheral angiograms which involve injections and catheters and can take a few hours to complete.”

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