Bermuda Hospitals Board now offers Cardiac CT Scanning

Pictured from left: Emma Sutherland and Shirmell Lambert BHB Registered Technicians, Dr Anders Hauggaard BHB Consultant Radiologist, Dr Daniel Stovell BHB Chief of Radiology, Alshuntae Harvey-Hollis BHB Registered Technician, Satinah Proctor BHB RN, Dr Joseph Yammine BHB Consultant Cardiologist and Director of the Cardiac CT Scan Programme, and Dr Sam Mir BHB Director of Cardiology.

Monday 26 February 2018: Bermuda Hospitals Board has expanded cardiac testing  and now provides CT angiography as well as cardiac calcium scoring on island.

In CT angiography 3D images of arteries that supply blood to the heart are taken with a CT scanner. The test can help determine the cause of chest pain and may indicate blockages in these vessels and conditions like atherosclerosis.

While calcium is good for building strong bones and teeth, calcium deposits in your blood vessels puts you at risk for developing heart disease. One of the new tests now available at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital (KEMH) uses CT scanning of the heart to determine calcium deposits in the coronary vessels.

The collaborative initiative between the cardiology and radiology departments now provides our community with comprehensive cardiac computerized tomography (cardiac CT). The programme started earlier this month coinciding with Heart Month. About 15 people have used the service so far.

The tests are read and interpreted at KEMH. Two physician specialists; Dr Joseph Yammine BHB Consultant Cardiologist and director of the programme, is American board certified in cardiac computed tomography and Dr Anders Hauggaard BHB Consultant Radiologist is Level II Accredited in Cardiovascular CT Experience Program by the American Heart Association with vast experience in this area. Dr Hauggaard was an early adopter of this technology in his previous works in Sweden and the Arabian Gulf.

Skilled nurses and specially trained radiology technicians conduct the testing always supervised by a physician.

Dr Yammine and Dr Hauggaard noted: “This programme, where we provide calcium scoring for cardiac risk screening and coronary angiography for assessment of coronary disease and overall heart conditions, is of great value to the community.

“It is particularly important because Bermuda does not have a cardiac catheterization laboratory. This program offers an alternative in many cases to surgery, to get a clear picture of the state of the vessels in and around the heart, and may result in less referrals to facilities overseas.”

Pictured from left: Dr Anders Hauggaard BHB Consultant Radiologist, Dr Daniel Stovell BHB Chief of Radiology, Dr Joseph Yammine BHB Consultant Cardiologist and Director of the Cardiac CT Scan Programme, and Dr Sam Mir BHB Director of Cardiology.

Dr. Daniel Stovell, BHB Chief of Radiology noted:  “This testing is carried out with minimal exposure to radiation. We have paid close attention to this and are pleased with the achievement in the pilot phase of the programme which took place earlier this month.”

Dr. Sam Mir BHB Director of Cardiology said: “This programme can be a significant benefit to improve the care of our cardiac patients in Bermuda where heart disease remains the number one killer.”

Archives