Posted: Feb 24, 2010 8:33 AM by Jamie Smith
The next generation of imaging used to detect heart disease is not only more accurate, but seems to drastically reduce radiation exposure.
The standard 64-slice CT scans can image 4 centimeters at a time. Researchers at Columbia University tested the latest technology, which uses 320-slice scans to image 16 centimeters. That's the entire length of the heart in less than half a second.
Doctors say the new CT scans expose patients to as much as 90% less radiation than current scans.
This study was done using special mannequins. Much more research is necessary before this would become mainstream.