How New Cardiac Imaging Technology Could Improve Heart Disease Detection

As a cardiac technician at Hackensack Meridian University Medical Center and someone who lives with heart disease, Laudis C. understands the risks of coronary artery disease, the leading cause of death in the U.S. 

That’s why she’s grateful to have become part of Hackensack’s cardiac history as the first patient to undergo an innovative new heart scan called positron emission tomography (PET) myocardial perfusion imaging, which gives doctors a more detailed look at your heart than traditional tests. 

Laudis had the test done as part of a follow-up appointment for heart disease, which runs in her family. “It was pretty cool being first,” she says, “especially since I’ve seen firsthand how important early detection of heart disease is.” 

Here’s how this innovative imaging technology could help save lives. 

A New Era in Cardiac Imaging

During a traditional myocardial perfusion imaging scan, a small amount of radioactive tracer is injected into your veins, and a special camera captures images of the tracer as it moves through the heart’s arteries while you’re at rest. 

Then you walk on a treadmill or receive medication that simulates exercise, and a second tracer is injected. The camera takes more images to show how the increased stress on your heart affects blood flow. 

The traditional procedure is long and uncomfortable for some patients. “It can be intimidating,” Laudis says. “The radioactive tracer, the exercise or medication and then lying still on a table for what feels like forever. It can be a lot.” 

The new PET myocardial perfusion scans offer a dramatically different experience for patients. They are much faster than traditional scans. 

Laudis says hers took less than an hour, compared to the several hours a traditional test can take. That can make it easier on patients who are uncomfortable or anxious about the procedure.

A Game-Changer for Detecting Heart Disease

The new PET myocardial perfusion scans provide incredibly detailed images of the heart and arteries, helping doctors to more accurately assess blood flow, even in very small arteries. 

They have a special technology that uses positron emission tomography (PET) to offer sharper images and better resolution than traditional methods. It also has a longer half-life, so tests can be scheduled at a patient’s convenience, and it uses less radiation.

By enhancing doctors’ ability to accurately determine blood flow abnormalities, the technology is a real game-changer for detecting heart disease, says Marian Vandyck-Acquah, M.D., director of Education and Quality-Noninvasive Cardiology at Hackensack Meridian Health’s Heart and Vascular Hospital and director of Hackensack Meridian Health’s Noninvasive Cardiology Labs; she is also the first cardiologist at the hospital to use the new scan. 

The Future of Cardiac Imaging at Hackensack Meridian Health

Hackensack Meridian Health is one of the first hospitals to offer the new cutting-edge heart scan, investing in the state-of-the-art technology at multiple hospitals in its network. 

In addition to Hackensack University Medical Center, PET myocardial perfusion imaging is available at JFK University Medical Center in Edison and Ocean University Medical Center in Brick, giving residents across New Jersey access to one of the most sophisticated cardiac imaging tests available. 

The convenience and speed of PET myocardial perfusion imaging make Laudis think it will have a big impact on patients’ experiences and outcomes. It certainly has for her. “Thankfully, everything was ok on my scan,” she says. 

“Knowing this technology can detect problems earlier and potentially prevent serious heart issues down the line is incredibly reassuring,” she continues. “I know how much easier and less stressful this will be for other patients.”

Next Steps & Resources

• Meet our source: Marian Vandyck-Acquah, M.D.
• To learn more about cardiac imaging options near you, call 800-822-8905 or make an appointment online.
• Learn more about the heart screenings, prevention and diagnostic tests available at Hackensack Meridian Health.

The material provided by Healthier You is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.