Ulster Hospital has installed the world’s first CT scanner for heart disease. The scanner will replace invasive testing and it can instantly identify patients with serious cardiac problems.
With the ability to image the heart in less than a single beat, patients can now be sent for surgery or stenting immediately.
According to South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, the scanner enables patients with early cardiac disease to be referred for treatment, while others with the potential to suffer a heart attack in the long term can be placed on a preventative pathway.
Consultant cardiologist Dr Patrick Donnelly said: “This scanner changes the rules and allows us to engage with the patients who need us most. The large number of people presenting with chest pain far outweighs our capacity. The scanner removes diagnostic uncertainty and will allow us to evaluate patients quickly and in greater detail.
“In turn, this will free up resources for prevention pathways, with data indicating around 30% of heart attacks could be avoided.”
