Toshiba launches premium performance workstation at ACC conference

A workstation introduced March 11 at the American College of Cardiology conference processes MR cardiac data with such detail that the information rivals what can be obtained from conventional modalities, according to developer Toshiba America Medical Systems.

The workstation, FDA clearance for which is imminent, processes MR angiographic data acquired with the company's newly released 1.5T Vantage ZGV, using software that does not require contrast-enhanced data. Specialized algorithms correct for motion artifacts in real-time.

"We are on the verge of having a complete cardiac panel," said Bob Giegerich, director of the MR business unit at Toshiba America Medical Systems. "With this, MR will replace everything - nuclear medicine, ultrasound, and cardiac cath."

Gadolinium-based studies performed on the Vantage ZGV and processed on the new workstation pick up scars in the myocardium so small they may escape detection with thallium studies using conventional gamma cameras, he said. Delayed enhancement data, also obtained with contrast, might help identify patients who will benefit from revascularization following myocardial infarction.

Giegerich touts the Vantage ZGV, which began routine shipping only in the last several weeks, as a premium-performance high-field system, delivering performance in some cases comparable to that of 3T scanners.

The new system and development efforts aimed at enhancing its performance will be profiled March 20 in the next issue of DI SCAN.