Changes to patient radiation exposure levels are just around the corner. In 2010, the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC) issued a goal with a deadline of 2014. The nuclear imaging community is challenged to significantly lower radiation exposure in SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging without sacrificing quality before the end of this year.
The ASNC recommends three combined approaches to lowering radiation exposure:
- Appropriate selection of patients
- Creation of protocols that lessen total radiation exposure
- Use of equipment and processing methods that achieve the best image quality at the lowest possible radiation dose
How Digirad Can Help
The new guidelines place considerable emphasis on advancing technology through either modification of existing imaging systems or purchase of new equipment. Does your current nuclear imaging equipment allow you to produce high quality images and significantly lower the radiation exposure to your patients?
Digirad is uniquely positioned to help you meet or exceed the ASNC Guidelines with its cutting-edge software, cameras, and diagnostic services programs. As a standard feature, Digirad utilizes High Definition Solid-State detectors which increase count sensitivity and allow you to reduce the injected dose to your patient. In addition, the following software and hardware elements lower patient exposure to radiation and enhance the imaging process.
nSpeed
nSPEED™ is Digirad’s 3D OSEM advanced reconstructive software. It provides superior image quality and reduces acquisition time or patient dose by half compared to standard filtered back projection reconstruction techniques. Most users lower both the patient dose and the scan time to create an optimized protocol that is both faster and lower dose. If desired, you could cut your injected doses in half and still obtain high quality images within normal scan times. The software enables depth-dependent resolution recovery and improved chamber contrast, resulting in better SPECT image resolution. nSPEED is optimized for use with all Digirad cardiac solid-state detector systems.
Triple-Head Camera
Use a triple-head camera in place of a dual-head camera to speed up image acquisition. Both the Cardius® 3 XPO and the Cardius® X-ACT offer a third detector to improve efficiency by 38%. Improved efficiency means faster imaging and smaller dosage for patients of all sizes. A Digirad triple-head camera would allow you the option of injecting about 35% of the typical dose or scanning for 35% of the typical time. Most users cut both dose and scan time. You’ll meet the ASNC Guidelines while improving workflow and patient comfort.
The Cardius® X-ACT combines triple-head hardware with Fluorescence Attenuation Correction for the lowest possible dose and highest quality images of any standard nuclear camera. The advanced features of this compact system offer all of the benefits of the Digirad triple-head camera and add the clinical confidence only found with low dose Attenuation Correction. Lower dose, faster scan, higher clinical confidence.
Diagnostic Services
All Digirad Systems within the Diagnostic Services division are equipped with HD Solid State Detectors and nSPEED™ advanced reconstruction software. Practices and hospitals utilizing Digirad’s Diagnostic Services have been using the tools to meet or exceed the new ASNC standards for dose reduction for the last few years.
Whether you are interested in upgrading your technology through purchase or through signing on as a Diagnostic Services customer, achieving and outperforming the new ASNC reduced radiation dose standards is simple with Digirad’s innovative technology and services.
