Early detection of heart disease saves lives. OC Vital Imaging is one of the leading imaging centers in the United States. It is under the direct supervision of the Cardiologists of The Orange County Heart Institute, one of the largest and most experienced Cardiology groups in California. We use the GE/Imatron Electron Beam CT scanner, referred to as an EBCT scanner. This is the fastest and most accurate CT scanner available for  detecting coronary calcium and plaque. The EBCT scan is the only CT scan approved by the FDA for the detection of coronary calcium. Unlike conventional CT scanners (called multislice or multidetector or MDCT scanners), the EBCT has one-fifth to one-tenth the radiation dose. The EBCT scan is also a superb scanner for lung scanning and full body scans because of the low radiation dose. Because the EBCT scan is so fast, it literally “freezes” the image of the beating heart, to produce extremely detailed and accurate picture of the arteries of the heart in a matter of seconds. Even the newest “64 slice” MDCT scanner, which delivers even higher radiation, will produce blurred images compared to the EBCT scan when detecting coronary calcium.

Cardiologist Dr. Lawrence Santora, Medical Director of OC Vital Imaging, is a member of The Orange County Heart Institute, in Orange, California. He has recently co-authored, with Dick Butkus and Steve Armentrout, MD, a new book called The OC Cure For Heart Disease. The OC Cure describes how the EBCT scan can save lives. The book also outlines a revolutionary diet plan and information on exercise. It also details the story of Dick Butkus, NFL Hall of Fame linebacker, who came to OC Vital Imaging for a full body scan, which detected coronary artery disease which was so severe that he  needed lifesaving coronary artery bypass surgery. The book can be seen in more detail at ocheartcure.com.

There is now little question that detecting coronary calcium by EBCT scanning is the most accurate method to detect early coronary artery disease. Coronary calcium is much more predictive of your risk of a heart attack than all the traditional risk factors, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, obesity or diabetes. It should be remembered that half of all heart attacks occur in people with normal cholesterol. Also, only a little less than half of the people with high cholesterol will ever get heart disease. The EBCT scan for coronary calcium will tell you if you do or do not have heart disease and if your cholesterol needs to be treated. There is simply no other test in the world that can provide you with this information, so quickly and so safely.

At OC Vital Imaging, we are constantly re-evaluating our techniques and scanning methods. We have highly trained and experienced radiology technicians to perform our scans. The skill of the radiology technician is the crucial first step in obtaining superb images. Also, since we are under the medical direction of a large and experienced cardiology group, we are always evaluating the latest medical literature to provide our patients with the latest and most accurate information regarding their heart care. Few imaging centers in the country can match the experience and depth of knowledge we provide because we are associated with a large cardiology group.

 Our scans are immediately reviewed, and a consult with the patient is performed by our highly trained and experienced nurse practitioner. The cardiologists subsequently review the heart scans again, then a team of experienced radiologists will again review the lung and full body scans and the virtual colonoscopy. We also provide CT angiography, a new technique to by which a small quantity of dye is injected in the vein in the forearm. This allows visualization of coronary bypass graphs and blood flow in the coronary arteries, in a matter of minutes. Dr. Santora and his associates have one of the largest experiences in California in performing these studies.

OC Vital Imaging  also provides state of the art PET Scans. PET scans refer to Positron Emission Tomography scans which are specialized scans used to stage and detect and follow cancers. They are also approved as one of the few methods to detect Alzheimer’s disease.

We are confident that you will have a superb experience at OC Vital Imaging. We are freeway close, in the center of Orange County.  Our beautiful center is staffed with skilled and compassionate personnel who only have your comfort and health in mind. A call today could save your life or the life of a loved one. If you do choose to have your heart or full body scan done at another facility, make sure that you are getting a scan using an EBCT scanner and not with a conventional CT. Remember the EBCT scanner provides the fastest and most accurate coronary calcium scans with the lowest possible radiation.