Centric Health Imaging

Digital X-Ray

X-ray is an imaging technique that is useful in the detection of pathology of the skeletal system. X-rays are also useful for detecting some disease processes in soft tissue.

Using low-dose electromagnetic radiation, X-rays are used to diagnose disease by making pictures of the inside of the body. With Digital X-ray, digital X-ray sensors are used instead of traditional photographic film. Advantages include time efficiency through bypassing chemical processing and the ability to digitally transfer and enhance images. Also, less radiation can be used to produce an image of similar contrast to conventional radiography. Images are available instantly. Since images are digital, they can be shared with radiology specialists whenever needed.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound utilizes sound waves that produce images of the internal structures of the body. Ultrasound (or sonography) uses reflected sound waves to create real-time images of soft tissues, including muscles, blood vessels and organs. Because sound waves are used, there is no radiation exposure during this procedure.
Although most commonly used to examine the fetus during pregnancy, it is also an effective tool for monitoring blood flow using Doppler ultrasound technology. Ultrasound can be used to discover abnormalities in organs, and detect narrowed arteries, clotted veins, or growths such as tumors and cysts.

Echocardiogram

An echocardiogram (also called an echo) is a non-invasive test that uses sound waves to create a detailed, moving picture of the heart and valves. This test allows your doctor to evaluate the functioning of your heart. It is often used to measure pumping function in those with heart failure or to determine the extent of damage after a heart attack. An echocardiogram can be used to diagnose, evaluate and monitor a number of conditions, including:

• Abnormal heart valves
• Atrial fibrillation
• Congenital heart disease
• Heart murmurs
• Infections in the sac around the heart (pericarditis) or the heart valves (infectious endocarditis)
• Pulmonary hypertension

We perform a range of echocardiograms, including:
Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) - The most common type of echocardiogram is performed by moving the transducer (which picks up the sound waves) to different areas on the outside of your chest or abdomen to obtain views of the heart.
Stress echocardiogram - This test is performed before and after your heart is stressed, either with exercise or medication to increase heart rate. Doctors use this test to determine whether you have decreased blood flow to your heart, such as in coronary artery disease.
Doppler echocardiogram - This test is used to examine how blood flows through the heart chambers, valves and vessels.
Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) - When a regular echocardiogram is unclear, either due to obesity or lung disease, a TEE can provide a clearer picture. In this test, a probe is guided down the esophagus and can be positioned closer to the heart, without obstruction from the lungs and chest wall. This procedure is performed under mild sedation.

CT & CTA

CT Scan (Computed Tomography) is a process that combines a digital computer with x-rays. Using an x-ray beam, the CT scan creates detailed, cross-sectional images of various parts of the body such as the lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas, pelvis, extremities, brain, spine, and blood vessels; it also sends them to a PACS server for interpretation and remote viewing. Multislice technology acquires multiple cross-sections simultaneously which results in significantly shorter scan times. Sophisticated results, often presented in 3-D, are created for fine detail analysis for the best possible interpretation.

Computed Tomography scans at breakthrough speed which allows patients who have difficulty remaining immobile to have accurate scans in a short period of time. Its superior image quality and speed of reconstructing images (in one quarter of the time of other scanning systems) means images are available for faster and more accurate diagnoses. Also, our dose modulating software results in less radiation exposure to patients than those not having this software.

This state-of-the-art technology allows us to perform advanced scanning applications, such as:

• Cardiovascular imaging
• CT angiography
• CT coronary angiography and scoring
• Cardiac function
• Volumetric lung nodule analysis

MRI/MRA

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) generates high-resolution images of the body from a variety of angles using a magnetic field and radio waves. MRI can generate information about the brain, spine, joints, and internal organs that may not be easily obtainable from other tests. It is a very reliable image scanning tool that produces high-quality images leading to early detection and treatment of disease.

The benefits of MRI for Patients:

• A more accurate diagnosis leading to better outcomes
• Shorter examination times; a patient with claustrophobia can receive a brain MRI in as little as 15 minutes with the Centric Health Imaging MRI, reducing the time you spend in an MRI machine, reducing your stress levels
• More detailed images with greater resolution, enables the identification of smaller lesions and anatomical structures
• Detects problems which cannot be seen with less powerful scanners
• Allows more sophisticated imaging procedures
• Has a lower risk of distorted images so lessens the need for repeated scans
• Reduces the need for invasive procedures

PET

PET scanner is an advanced, high-performance system that delivers exceptional anatomic detail with the shortest possible imaging time that provides the maximum amount of patient comfort.

A PET scan of the heart is a noninvasive nuclear imaging test. It uses radioactive tracers (called radionuclides) to produce pictures of your heart. Doctors use cardiac PET scans to diagnose coronary artery disease (CAD) and damage due to a heart attack. PET scans can show healthy and damaged heart muscle. Doctors also use PET scans to help find out if you will benefit from a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) such as angioplasty and stenting, coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) or another procedure.

PET scans use radioactive material called tracers. Tracers mix with your blood and are taken up by your heart muscle. A special “gamma” detector that circles the chest picks up signals from the tracer. A computer converts the signals into pictures of your heart at work. A PET scan shows if your heart is getting enough blood or if blood flow is reduced because of narrowed arteries. It also shows dead cells (scars) from a prior heart attack. A PET scan can help in determining if you’ll benefit from a cardiac procedure (PCI) or surgery to restore blood flow. The tracers used for PET scans can help identify injured but still living (viable) heart muscle that might be saved if blood flow is restored.

Cardiac Imaging

Centric Health Imaging provides a variety of cardiac imaging solutions. Here are the types of cardiac imaging solutions we offer our patients:

STRESS NUCLEAR IMAGING
This nuclear study reflects myocardial flow in coronary arteries. Stress nuclear imaging is the most commonly used, widely available, non-invasive test for directly assessing myocardial perfusion.

CTA CORONARY ARTERIES
Coronary CTA is a non-invasive heart imaging test used to determine whether fatty plaque or calcium deposits have built up in the coronary arteries. This study is also used to determine if there is narrowing of the coronary arteries.

PET MYOCARDIAL VIABILITY
PET Myocardial Viability is used to determine whether a portion of the heart muscle is alive. This procedure is regarded as the "gold standard" of imaging in order to determine if cardiac transplantation or revascularization is necessary.

MRI CARDIAC FUNCTION
Cardiac MRI is a non-invasive procedure that uses powerful magnetic waves and radio frequencies in order to produce highly detailed pictures and movies of the heart without the use of ionizing radiation.

ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY
Echocardiography is a non-invasive and highly accurate assessment that uses ultrasound to examine the cardiac valve area and this area's function. In addition to creating 2-D pictures of the cardiovascular system, the echocardiogram produces an accurate assessment of the velocity of blood and of cardiac tissue at any arbitrary point using pulsed or continuous wave Doppler.

Nuclear Medicine

At Centric Health Imaging, Nuclear Medicine diagnostic tests use small amounts of different radioactive tracers in order to determine the function of the heart. A special gamma camera detects the radioactive emissions and sends the signals to a computer that creates two- and three-dimensional images. This process is referred to as Single Photon Emission Computerized Tomography (SPECT). SPECT is different from CT scans because it shows the chemical and physiological processes of the organs.

Our scanner, allowing physicians to accurately diagnose abnormalities early in the progression of a disease, offers nuclear medicine capabilities that surpass standard diagnostic tools.