A study published in the latest edition of Circulation gives high marks to Imatron's electron beam CT scanner, allowing clinicians to measure coronary artery calcification four years after heart transplantation. And Japanese researchers are reporting success with the device in virtual endoscopy of the coronary arteries, as reported in the May issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology.
The research group from the German Heart Institute in Berlin concluded that the EBT scan was able to predict artery narrowing, measuring more than 50%, in the new hearts of 112 patients with a sensitivity of 94%, said lead author Dr. Friedrich Knollman. The scan also was able to rule out narrowing in 99% of the patients, he added.
The team also compared Imatron's product to intracoronary ultrasound, the gold standard for assessing allograft vasculopathy, and found that the EBT scan offers a less invasive and expensive alternative.
Imatron is based in South San Francisco, CA. Circulation is published by the American Heart Association, and the American Journal of Roentgenology is published by the American Roentgen Ray Society.
By AuntMinnie.com staff writersMay 5, 2000
Copyright © 2000 AuntMinnie.com
