Barts Health home to the most accurate heart scans
A Barts Health team that performs thousands of vital heart scans every year has been recognised for the quality of their medical images.
The cardiac computerised tomography (CT) service at St Bartholomew’s Hospital received the award from the makers of Heartflow, an artificial intelligence tool that is applied retrospectively to CT scans to better diagnose heart conditions.
The accuracy of the analysis from Heartflow depends on the quality of the images produced by the original hospital scan.
Our team achieved an acceptance rate of 98%, the highest in the country and well above the national average of 91%.
The technology is used at more than 80 centres across the UK.
A CT scan uses X-rays to produce detailed images of the heart and its arteries which the doctor can then see on a computer screen.
An intravenous contrast, known as a dye, is used to better visualise the heart structure and any narrowing of the arteries which may be causing symptoms.
For the scan to be accurate it is essential that patients are positioned correctly, the scan parameters are accurately set up and the patient is understands the right moments to hold their breath.
Head of radiography Amanda Rand said: "Accurate scans mean quicker and safer diagnoses. We are so proud of this achievement which recognises the high standards we set ourselves with every single scan."
The award was accepted on behalf of the team by Dr Emma Cheasty, the clinical lead for cardiac CT at Barts Heart Centre and the deputy medical director of St Bartholomew’s Hospital.
Pictured right to left: Tom Lefever from Heartflow, Tiago Fernandes, operational lead radiographer, Dr Alex Asher, senior cardiology registrar, Dr Shanti Velmurugan, consultant cardiologist, Mohammed Mahmoodi, specialist cardiac radiographer, Dr Emma Cheasty, clinical lead and deputy medical director, RV Kalra, health care assistant, Amanda Rand, head of radiography, Joanna Yap-Sanderson, cardiac CT lead radiographer, Dr Uzma Gul, cardiology registrar, Oswald Charakupa, Heartflow
Read more