LMH Health using PET/CT technology to benefit cardiac patients
PET scans have long been used to diagnose cancer and determine how far it has progressed. With the introduction of a permanent on-campus Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanner in July 2024, LMH Health is using this technology to benefit a wider audience.
“LMH Health is the only hospital in the area that provides cardiac PET imaging, which allows our cardiac patients to get the care they need without having to drive into Kansas City,” said Carly Bartuccio, LMH Health Imaging Services manager.
Cardiac patients benefit from PET scans, as they help to evaluate the impact of heart damage after a cardiac event like a heart attack, or to monitor the progression of coronary artery disease (CAD). According to the National Institutes of Health, CAD accounts for approximately 610,000 deaths each year and is the leading cause of death in the United States.
Dr. Darcy Conaway
Cardiologists have traditionally relied on SPECT – single photon emission computed tomography – for stress testing to diagnose coronary disease. SPECT scans use radioactive medication (tracers) to show blood flow to your heart while you’re at rest and under stress. While SPECT is still a valuable imaging tool for all kinds of nuclear stress testing, there are advantages with PET.
“It’s a huge advantage to use cardiac PET, especially for appropriate patients who are in the Emergency Department,” said Dr. Darcy Conaway, a cardiologist with Cardiovascular Specialists of Lawrence. “Patients are subject to less radiation, shorter imaging times and the higher image quality leads to increased diagnostic accuracy. Having PET/CT technology at our fingertips provides us with an outstanding option for diagnosis.”
How does PET work?
During a cardiac PET/CT scan, the scanner creates a 3-D image of the heart. The results help them to recommend surgery or other procedures and treatments for patients.
“It’s the standard at LMH Health that cardiologists read the cardiac PET scans the same day the study is done,” Dr. Conaway said. “Our goal is to have those results in short order so we can discuss them with the patient and provide appropriate treatment recommendations.”
How do I prepare?
If a cardiac PET scan is on your schedule, make sure to follow the instructions shared by your cardiologist. Dr. Conaway explained that there aren’t a lot of steps to take in preparation for the appointment.
“We advise patients not to eat or drink anything with caffeine in it for 12 hours before the scan, and may ask them to hold off taking certain medications,” she said. “We often ask patients not to eat or drink after midnight for their study the next day.”
You should avoid strenuous exercise for at least 24 hours before a cardiac PET scan. If you smoke, avoid it on the day of the test as nicotine can affect your results.
The acquisition of the PET scanner was made possible in part due to gifts from donors and corporate partners of the LMH Health Foundation, including funds raised through the biennial Hearts of Gold gala in April and the annual Penny Jones Golf Tournament in September.
“This has transformed healthcare for many patients in our community,” Dr. Conaway said. “I’m grateful to those who helped make it possible to bring this permanent PET/CT scanner to LMH Health. It’s made it possible for us to provide this technology for our cardiac patients, as well as for other service lines such as oncology. Our patients don’t need to travel anywhere else to get outstanding care.”
