“I can honestly say the imaging produced by SVMC’s scanner is simply the best I’ve ever seen.”
Dr. Brion WinstonWhen it comes to heart health, timing matters—and so does access. That’s why the addition of a Cardiac Computed Tomography (CT) scanner at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC) is a game-changer.
As Dr. Brion Winston, MD, an interventional cardiologist at SVMC, explains, “Advanced imaging is key to spotting potential problems early and guiding patients toward the right treatment. In the past, cardiac patients at SVMC had to travel either to Dartmouth Health or to Albany for imaging services. But with the addition of this new technology at SVMC, patients can get the necessary imaging done right here.”
Clearer images for more accurate diagnoses
Board-certified in cardiac CT, Winston has read thousands of cardiac scans in his 14-year career. Many of those images have led him to perform valve replacements, valve repairs, stent placements, and stroke prevention procedures.
“I’ve worked in several facilities and used many different scanners,” he says. “I can honestly say the imaging produced by SVMC’s scanner is simply the best I’ve ever seen.”
He adds, “Typically, scanners of this caliber are only found at academic medical centers. It uses X-rays from many different angles to construct images of the heart. We’re able to zoom in and view blood vessels, valves, arteries, aorta, and the structure of the heart in amazing detail. We can spot signs of heart disease, blockages, and assess heart function.”
The resulting images are evaluated at SVMC by the patient’s cardiologist as well as radiologist Dr. James Keenan, MD. PhD. While the cardiologist focuses on what going on in the heart, Dr. Keenan looks at other structures in the body that might influence the recommended care plan.
A win-win for patients and providers
In addition to cutting-edge imaging, the onsite technology streamlines the diagnostic process for patients and provides a much-appreciated consistency of care.
According to Winston, “Patients and providers benefit when diagnostics are performed onsite. Patients aren’t burdened with having to travel to an unfamiliar facility and dealing with a different team of doctors and nurses. As providers, we benefit from immediate access to the imaging, which allows us to provide prompt diagnoses, which, in turn, can lead to patients getting necessary procedures faster.”
Learn more about SVMC Cardiology.