Diagnostic Accuracy With the Latest Technology
With a commitment to excellence, the WMCHealth Heart and Vascular Institute Cardiac Imaging Program’s experienced staff is leveraging cutting-edge technology and expanding diagnostic and treatment services across the Hudson Valley. The program’s specialists have gained an international reputation as innovative leaders, resulting in frequent referrals of cases for their review – including consultation on images from around the world.
Non-Invasive Heart Disease Evaluations
Echocardiography and nuclear cardiology are well-validated techniques for the non-invasive evaluation of patients with heart disease. The WMCHealth Heart and Vascular Institute utilizes state-of-art technology to continually improve and expand the application of these time-honored imaging modalities.
The echocardiography laboratory has grown through the years in terms of volume of studies, geographic reach and advanced imaging with disease-specific protocols. Since 2012, the volume of studies has grown 64 percent to more than 12,000 a year.
High-quality imaging, precise diagnostics, and attentive, informative patient follow-up discussions are pillars of the Cardiac Imaging Program’s care – and our volumes are increasing considerably. We now perform, for example, 300 cardiac magnetic resonance imaging exams a year at Westchester Medical Center.
T1 and T2 mapping, the most advanced form of cardiac MRI, opens a new frontier of detection. With this technology, providers get a numeric value of an MRI parameter for the heart muscle. This provides an additional way to determine if the heart is normal or if the patient has abnormalities at the microscopic level that would be hard to detect with conventional cardiac MRI.
Evaluations at Your Local Hospital
Collaboration across WMCHealth also is a program pillar. Using the latest technology, patients can be imaged at their local hospital rather than facing travel or transfer to the Westchester Medical Center Valhalla campus by ambulance, as well as a return trip.
This commitment led to an expansion of imaging services at Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern. Its new Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MR) Program, accredited by the American College of Radiology, now performs 200 cardiac MRs a year.
Westchester Medical Center patients are seen in the new Ambulatory Care Pavilion, which features cutting-edge diagnostic imaging with full cardiac capability. A 3.0T magnetic resonance imaging machine captures the finest details for more comprehensive diagnostics. A 1.5T MRI, only the second unit of its kind in the United States, uses helium to achieve its magnetic field and provide a safer, faster experience. Both units feature relaxing ambient lighting and the latest capabilities for shortening exams. In addition, the world’s first spectral-detector-based computed tomography (CT) device captures two views for enhanced diagnostic accuracy, but reduces exposure and speeds test time without compromising image quality.
Cardiac imaging services also include:
Calcium Scoring
This cutting-edge diagnostic test, now available across WMCHealth, predetermines risk of heart disease and heart attacks by measuring arteries’ calcium presence. Calcium can slow blood flow; calcium scoring helps determine a treatment regimen and enables earlier intervention. Learn more.
CT and PET Scans
State-of-the-art computed tomography (CT) technology directly images coronary arteries, identifying arterial blockages otherwise diagnosed only during invasive testing. Cardiac CT is a safe, painless test performed in outpatient and inpatient settings. Scans use X-rays and computer software to secure images of coronary arteries, heart chambers, valves and aorta. Cardiac CT also identifies cardiac tumors and congenital heart lesions, and evaluates the pericardium.
A positron emission tomography (PET) scan of the heart is a noninvasive nuclear imaging test. It uses radioactive tracers to produce images of the heart and help determine diagnostic and treatment options.
Nuclear Imaging
Westchester Medical Center’s state-of-the-art nuclear cardiovascular imaging labs serve inpatients as well as outpatients. Nuclear cardiovascular imaging uses radiopharmaceuticals, in conjunction with a treadmill exercise test or chemical stress (pharmacological stress) test, to detect coronary artery disease and identify patients who can benefit from further diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. This test is highly useful in patients suspected to have coronary artery disease, and can avoid invasive tests such as coronary angiography in patients who do not have underlying coronary artery disease.
Inpatient and outpatient nuclear cardiology labs have state-of-the-art gamma cameras and equipment, and perform very high-quality tests. A latest-generation solid-state gamma camera was recently installed in the new Ambulatory Care Pavilion. With this camera, the doses of radiotracer can be reduced significantly, thus lessening radiation exposure to patients. This is the first of this kind of gamma camera in Westchester County and the lower Hudson Valley. Our nuclear imaging labs perform the entire spectrum of cardiac nuclear imaging studies: myocardial perfusion imaging, MUGA (radionuclide ventriculography), viability imaging, sarcoid imaging and cardiac amyloidosis imaging.
Echocardiography
State-of-the art echocardiography labs serve adult and pediatric patients. Echocardiography studies the structure and function of chambers of the heart, heart muscle, valves and the pericardial space surrounding the heart. This is the most commonly used non-invasive imaging test in patients with known or suspected heart disease. Disease-specific protocols include cardio-oncology, adult congenital heart disease, pulmonary embolism and congestive heart failure.
Appointments, Referrals and Information
Ambulatory Care Pavilion
Westchester Medical Center
100 Woods Road
Valhalla, NY 10595
Phone: 914.909.6925
Fax: 914.493.2552
CardiacImaging@WMCHealth.org
Learn more about cardiac imaging at the Westchester Medical Center Ambulatory Care Pavilion.