Imatron to use EBT in German cardiac study

Imatron has concluded an agreement with a German foundation to support a $5 million study of coronary atherosclerosis, using the company’s patented electron beam tomography technology.

Researchers plan to recruit 4500 men and women from a random sample of the general population of the Ruhr industrial district in Germany. The study will focus on the direct detection of atherosclerosis instead of on risk factors that predict the probability of the disease.

EBT coronary calcium detection scanning will be compared with other measures of atherosclerosis in other vessels such as the carotid and peripheral arteries.

Imatron’s primary product is the EBT scanner, which is now in use at more than 120 imaging facilities around the world.