May 2012
Skeletal PET/CT Scans
Detecting Cancers In The Bones
The Sentara Cancer Network offers mobile PET/CT technology that has now evolved to allow a full body scan of a person’s skeleton to discover and evaluate any cancer that may have spread to the bones.
It’s an unfortunate fact that sometimes cancer can spread to a different part of the body, including the bones. With the FDA approval of an 18F-Sodium Fluoride radiopharmaceutical injection, PET/CT is now approved for total skeletal scans. PET/CT (Positron Emission Tomography/ Computed Tomography) combines two separate tests to provide physicians with comprehensive diagnostic information. For a Skeletal PET/CT Scan, a small amount of 18F-Sodium Fluoride is put into your body. The fluoride is absorbed into the bone tissues showing bone reaction and blood flow during the PET scan, revealing areas of cancer in the bones. The CT scan is simultaneously performed to mark the exact position of any troublesome area that shows up on the PET scan. This gives your physician vital information to make treatment decisions.
The mobile PET/CT imaging unit visits locations throughout Hampton Roads: Lake
Wright Cancer Center, Sentara BelleHarbour, Sentara CarePlex Hospital, Sentara Greenbrier
Healthplex, Sentara Obici Hospital, Sentara Princess Anne, and Sentara Williamsburg
Regional Medical Center.
A Skeletal PET/CT scan may be ordered for:
- Staging the spread of cancer to bones at time of diagnosis (e.g., breast, prostate, etc.)
- Re-staging the spread of cancer (metastases) to bone later
- Evaluating bone cancer response to chemotherapy or radiation therapy
Patients can appreciate the advantages of Skeletal PET/CT over conventional (nuclear medicine) bone scans:
- Greater comfort, 45-60 minutes wait time after radiopharmaceutical injection vs. conventional wait time of up to 3 hours
- Shorter scanning times, 30-45 minute scanning time vs. 45-60 minutes
- Clearer scanning difference between normal bone (non-cancerous/benign) and cancerous (malignant) bone lesions, for a more accurate diagnosis
April 2012
Total Artificial Heart
A Bridge To Heart Transplant
Sentara Heart Hospital is the first and only facility in our area to offer the SynCardia Total Artificial Heart, a lifesaving bridge to keep the blood pumping and improve the quality of life for heart failure patients awaiting a donor heart transplant.
When heart disease weakens the heart muscles to the point where vital organs – like the kidneys, liver and brain–are not receiving an adequate blood supply, and medical therapy is ineffective, patients have two options to restore their vital blood flow: donor transplantation or a mechanical assist device. The most common device only supports the left ventricle. If both ventricles are failing, the Total Artificial Heart is the only mechanical support option. Approximately 2,200 donor hearts become available each year in the U.S.
Unfortunately, more than 3,000 people are on a waiting list, nearly half (49%), have been waiting for more than a year.* With heart muscle failing and vital organs in jeopardy, patients need to remain hospitalized for continuous intravenous medication. With the Total Artificial Heart implant, crucial blood flow is immediately restored to vital organs, helping the patient to become a better transplant candidate. Initially, the patient is maintained with a large power source or driver. After recovery, an investigational backpack-sized portable driver provides the power for the artificial heart and allows a patient to leave the hospital to lead a more active lifestyle while waiting for a donor heart.
Read more about a Sentara Heart Hospital patient and find out more on this lifesaving medical breakthrough and other Sentara Heart services at www.sentara.com/heart.
*Source: Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, 03/09/12
February 2012
Aortic Valve Replacement Using A Catheter
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) Sentara Heart cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons at Sentara Heart Hospital have begun offering transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) therapy with the Edwards SAPIEN Valve. Sentara Heart Hospital is the first heart program in Virginia to offer this non-surgical therapy outside a research study.
The number one cause of death in America is cardiovascular disease.* Aortic stenosis, a deterioration of the heart valve, makes the heart work harder to pump blood. For patients 75 and over who suffer from calcific aortic valve stenosis (where calcium deposits decrease heart blood flow) , it can weaken the heart and lead to heart failure or heart attack. Often, patients may be too frail to undergo open heart surgery to correct this heart condition.
With the transcatheter aortic-valve replacement (TAVR) procedure, Sentara Heart cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons are able to perform heart valve replacement through the placement of a collapsible aortic heart valve into the body via a catheter that is inserted through the leg, and threaded up to the heart.
TAVR patients do not require open heart surgery or a heart bypass machine. Recovery is typically one to three days in the hospital. Once home, patients are able to get around better than before the procedure.
This innovative procedure is performed in the region’s only Hybrid Cardiac Operating Suite at Sentara Heart Hospital. This Hybrid OR allows for advanced procedures using cardiac catheterization equipment combined with the amenities of a full service operating room. Sentara Heart cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons make up the multidisciplinary team who perform these procedures.
Severe Aortic Stenosis Symptoms:
- Severe shortness of breath
- Chest pain or tightness
- Fainting
- Extreme fatigue
- Lightheadedness/dizziness
- Difficulty exercising
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
To request an appointment or learn more about this and other treatments available at the Sentara Heart Valve and Structural Disease Center, visit sentara.com/heart, call (757) 388-8389 or (877) 261-2225 (toll-free).
January 2012
Allowing Earlier, Less Invasive Treatments for Cancers Deep Inside the Lungs
Cancer physicians at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital are using Electromagnetic Navigational Bronchoscopy (ENB) to help treat patients with small cancers deep in their lungs.
In recent years, newly developed and improved medical technolo-gies are offering more promising treatment options for people with lung cancers. Once a lung spot is discovered (by x-ray or other imaging), the doctor will need to do further testing to determine if it is cancerous, or benign (non-cancerous). Electromagnetic Navigational Bronchoscopy (ENB) is a new, less invasive option for patients in Hampton Roads.
Like traditional bronchoscopy, ENB uses a thin, flexible tube (catheter) inserted through the mouth to evaluate lung spots. ENB offers the added advantage of a system similar to a GPS that can less invasively locate spots deep in the lungs, where traditional bronchoscopy cannot reach. Without any surgery or incisions, physicians are able to use ENB to identify the cancer stage and develop an earlier treatment plan for mediastinal lymph nodes and lesions.
With ENB, placement markers can be positioned on these lung spots in preparation for CyberKnife incisionless radiosurgical treatments.
The advancements of both ENB and CyberKnife are suitable for a broad range of patients, including those who are too frail or compromised for surgical diagnostic and/or treatment procedures.
For more information on ENB, CyberKnife or other cancer treat-ments, call our Sentara Cancer Network experts at 1-888-220-2214 or visit www.sentara.com/cancer.
- Electromagnetic Navigational Bronchoscopy (ENB) identifies and positions placement markers for lung spots to be treated by CyberKnife.
- CyberKnife is an extremely precise, high-dose radiation treatment delivered directly to the cancer site for selected cancers of the lungs as well as the head, neck, brain, lung, liver, prostate, bone, pancreas and renal system.
November 2011
Innovative Imaging and Stealth Navigation - Making Spinal Surgery More Precise
Surgeons performing spine surgery at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital are the first in the area to employ the new technology of the O-arm® Surgical Imaging System and StealthStation®S7® Treatment Guidance System to provide more precise, real-time information during spinal surgery.
One look at this piece of high-tech imaging equipment and you can easily see why it’s called an ”O-arm.” Its circular “O” structure hinged on a movable base, transforms itself into a “C” shape as it remotely opens up one side to easily accommodate a patient on the operating table during surgery. In fact, the O-arm is a combination of C-arm technology teamed up with 3-D imaging and GPS-like navigation for less invasive, more effective imaging results before, during and after a surgical operation.
During spinal surgery, that information helps surgeons to make precise surgical decisions based on real-time images and to delicately maneuver around spinal nerves and organs, preserving healthy tissue and potentially shortening the length of surgery. At the end of a spinal surgery, this technology can visually confirm the accuracy of the procedure, before the patient even leaves the operating room.
- In about 30 seconds, the technology of the O-arm® System can deliver a 360-degree scan as well as two- and three-dimensional images of the surgical area, right in the operating room.
- Both neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons use this technology to obtain critical information during different phases of spinal surgery.
September 2011
A New CT Scanner With Unprecidented Speed and Spaciousness
Computed Tomography, known as "CT," has become a reliable tool in helping physicians to determine what’s happening inside a patient’s body. As technology has continued to improve, CT scans are now offering faster scanning and clearer images. The latest technology of the SOMATOM® Definition Flash is offering both.
Powered By Dual Technology
Traditional CT scanners are powered by a single x-ray tube, rotating around the patient as the exam table moves through the scanner. With this new dual-tube spiral system, two tubes operate simultaneously and merge data into one image, in half the time of a traditional CT.
The speed of the dual technology makes scanning possible without patients having to hold their breath. That is a definite advantage for patients who are breathing compromised as well as younger patients.
CT scans are available at Sentara locations throughout the area, including the dual-spiral technology at Sentara Princess Anne Hospital.
July 2011
An “anti-gravity” technology that was originally developed to help astronauts stay fit is now available at the Sentara Therapy Center - James City in Williamsburg to help condition and rehabilitate lower extremity injuries or surgeries.
It’s a well-established fact that the body heals better and faster with a structured therapy and exercise program. But often with lower extremity (hips, legs, ankles) injuries or fractures, the full weight of the body can literally be too much to bear.
The concept of “anti-gravity” training started with the need for NASA’s astronauts to get some exercise during space missions. Now this same technology has been adapted and approved by the FDA for use in rehabilitation and training--right here on Earth--with an AlterG “anti-gravity” treadmill.
Read more about the anti-gravity treadmill
March 2011
Innovative Web Techology Allows Early Diagnosis of Heart Attacks
In Hampton Roads, heart attack care has gone to a new level. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel are now able to transmit your heart’s information from any location directly to a physician who can diagnose a heart attack before you even reach the Emergency Room.
Calling 911 has always been your best chance of surviving a heart attack. With some new innovative technology, making that 911 call has now made your chances even better.
For a while, EMS teams have been able to transmit critical patient data, including an initial EKG, to the hospital. Now, an enhanced communication system has been brought to the region by a partnership between Sentara Heart and your local EMS. Through innovative web technology, the EMS team can now efficiently and accurately send an EKG to a Sentara physician for immediate interpretation.
Once it is confirmed that the incoming emergency patient is indeed experiencing a heart attack, a full plan of treatment is initiated. The cardiac team is notified and prepares to implement the intervention as soon as the ambulance arrives. Saving precious time, heart muscle and ultimately saving lives.
View Sentara treatment times from Emergency Room door to the Heart Cath Lab at sentara.com/heart.
Signs of a Heart Attack*
- Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the chest
- Discomfort in other areas of the upper body, including one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach
- Shortness of breath.
- Other signs including breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness
*Source: American Heart Association
Call 911 if a person has chest discomfort, especially if combined with another one of these symptoms, for longer than a few minutes.
January 2011
Sentara Heart Hospital Initiates A New Clinical Trial for Treatment of A-Fib (Irregular Heartbeat)
Sentara Heart cardiothoracic surgeons and cardiac electrophysiologists at Sentara Heart Hospital are the first in the country to begin enrolling and performing trial cases in the AtriCure DEEP AF feasibility trial, designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a hybrid treatment for atrial fibrillation.
Sentara Heart Hospital recently opened a Cardiac Hybrid Operating Suite, combining the diagnostic and treatment technologies of a cardiac catheterization lab, electrophysiology lab and traditional operating room. Cardiothoracic surgeons and cardiac electrophysiologists are now breaking new ground in heart care and treatment, enrolling and performing trial cases in the AtriCure DEEP AF feasibility trial. The first trial hybrid procedure in the country was performed in the new, state-of-the-art Cardiac Hybrid Operating Suite at Sentara Heart Hospital.
First of Six Sites Nationally
Approved by the Food and Drug Administration in September 2010, the DEEP AF trial is designed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a dual epicardial/endocardial procedure (DEEP), or hybrid procedure, to treat patients with persistent and long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation. Sentara Heart Hospital is one of only six national centers awarded participation in this pivotal trial.
Sentara Heart Arrhythmia Center
The Sentara Heart Arrhythmia Center also helps patients with A-Fib. It’s the region’s first and only center that brings together highly talented cardiothoracic surgeons and cardiac electrophysiologists to diagnose and treat simple-to-complex atrial fibrillation and other heart arrhythmias. Talk to your physician if you have any concerns about your heart health. For more information on the DEEP AF Trial, contact the Sentara Heart Arrhythmia Center at 757-388-8020 (toll free at 877-210-0793) or visit online at sentara.com/heart.
With more than 2.2 million people living with atrial fibrillation (AF or A-Fib), it is the most common type of irregular heartbeat, with symptoms of:
- Heart palpitations (irregular or rapid heartbeat)
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- The DEEP AF Trial is one of more than 90 clinical trials managed by the Sentara Cardiovascular Research Institute, established by Sentara Heart and its cardiac physicians and cardiothoracic surgeons to advance the understanding and treatment of cardiovascular (heart) disease.
Medical Breakthrough Archives:
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