Why Mechanical CT Scanners can not perform CAS

Know the Difference!

 

Recently a number of imaging centers with mechanical spiral CT scanners have begun offering CAS screening service to the unsuspecting public.   Typically these sites prepare brochures that mimic those of legitimate EBT sites, while downplaying or in some cases, not even mentioning that they are not using an EBT scanner.   Recognizing the limited capability of their Spiral scanners, and the lack of scientific validation, these operators typically offer their services at a discounted rate.  When questioned by other medical professionals, the response is something a long the lines of ".... our lightening fast scanner is 'nearly' as good as an EBT scanner".   As the data below shows, the word 'nearly' must be severely stretched from scientific reality in such a representation.   In fact, Heartscan has at least one well documented case of a patient with severe calcification in an RCA that received a "Zero" score from a spiral CT scanner service.   This dangerous situation will continue until the accreditation authorities develop regulatory tools to enforce standards for CAS testing.

1.  The exposure speed of a scanner must be fast enough to freeze cardiac motion:

2.  There is no point in the cardiac cycle when the heart is stationary:

 

3.  CT scanners produce artifacts as well as blurring in the presence of motion:

EBT Spiral-CT


 



4.  Clinical comparisons of EBT and Spiral CT reveal the same blurring and artifacts as demonstrated in the phantom studies.

EBT Spiral-CT

5.  EBT is performed at a very low, controlled, radiation exposure-- not so with Spiral!

6.  A Plea from John Rumberger