The SOMATOM® Definition AS+ CT system from Siemens Healthcare is an adaptive scanner that provides exceptional image quality to make complex cardiology examinations routine. Its flexibility improves workflow, enhances diagnostic confidence and facilitates the integration of CT imaging into the clinical care process.
Powered by FAST CARE, Siemens’ new technology platform for CT, the Definition AS+ assists clinicians in every step of the examination from planning to scanning and from reconstruction
to evaluation of images.
FAST CARE combines two main features: Fully Assisting Scanner Technologies (FAST) to optimise scanning efficiency and Combined Applications to Reduce Exposure (CARE) for dose reduction. As a result, the system acquires outstanding image quality at a reduced dose.
High quality cardiac images
Obtaining extremely fast coverage with 384 slices per rotation at 192 m/s at optimal resolution, the Definition AS+ ensures images are free from movement artefacts and show the finest anatomical details to assist with diagnosis and treatment planning.
The ‘Adaptive 4D Spiral’ capabilities of the Definition AS+ open up new dimensions, giving whole organ coverage in 4D for tumour perfusion, allowing clinicians to see a complete picture instead of preselecting a narrow section to evaluate for perfusion defects.
Furthermore, with the system’s 3D intervention mode, 3D images can be displayed in colour, enabling visualisation of the heart or other organs from any angle. This makes complex interventions and minimal invasive surgeries faster and more accurate.
Guided routine in cardiac CT
Among the most complex CT examinations are cardiac CT scans. A lot of parameters and settings have to be taken into account and precisely matched to the individual patient. By utilising FAST CARE, the SOMATOM Definition AS+ introduces the first guided routine in cardiac CT. The FAST Cardio Wizard application gives the clinician step-by-step guidance and support during the examination directly in the user interface while the scan is being prepared.
In combination with syngo®.via, Siemens’ innovative software application for multi-modality clinical image reporting, post processing of cardiac datasets is now also greatly simplified. Previously, this involved various manual steps such as labelling the vessels and calculating all functional parameters appropriately. With syngo.via this is done in just one click as all the required steps are already pre-processed.
Maximum outcome at minimum dose
The system’s high rotation speed and huge coverage enables excellent imaging of the coronary vessels with the lowest radiation dose thanks to its Adaptive Dose Shield, which blocks unnecessary dose so that patients are exposed only to the clinically relevant amount.
It also offers Adaptive ECG Pulsing™, an innovative heartbeat controlled dose modulation that can reduce dose by up to 50% in spiral cardiac examinations, and an Adaptive Cardio Sequence to reduce radiation down to 1-3 mSv in sequential cardiac CT. Adaptive ECG Pulsing applies only the dose required to collect the necessary data during the diastolic phase. It monitors the ECG in real-time and automatically and instantly reacts to changes and abnormalities of the heartbeat. It then reduces the dose in phases in which no data needs to be collected.
Single-click readiness
Every CT examination poses individual and specific requirements to achieve the optimum clinical outcome. These will vary from site to site, user to user and patient to patient. The challenge is to find the ideal settings for every individual examination, which can be used by different clinicians. Utilising Siemens’ unique FAST (Fully Assisting Scanner Technologies) applications, which automatically suggest the best set of parameters for every individual examination based on the selected body region, the Definition AS+ is able to do all of this in just a single click.
As a result, typically time-consuming and complex procedures during the scanning process are simplified and automated. This improves workflow efficiency, optimises results and enables a more confident diagnosis.
Borders General Hospital offer cardiac services via CT system from Siemens
Borders General Hospital in South East Scotland installed a SOMATOM® Definition AS+ CT from Siemens Healthcare for use in general CT scanning and trauma work and to introduce cardiac services for the first time.
The hospital also installed two dose-reducing CT applications from Siemens, SAFIRE (Sinogram Affirmed Iterative Reconstruction) and Care kV. SAFIRE is a method of raw data based iterative reconstruction that can reduce dose by up to 60%. Care kV recommends the correct tube voltage according to the patient’s anatomy and examination type to automatically adapt parameters to the selected kV level, further optimising image quality and reducing dose.
The Definition AS+ obtains up to 384 slices per rotation, making it ideally suited to cardiac imaging. With a temporal resolution of 150ms, the hospital is also benefitting from a range of quality and detailed anatomical imaging. Previously, patients were required to travel to Edinburgh for cardiac services but the CT installation at Borders General Hospital means those in the Borders region and further afield will benefit from facilities closer to home.
“Radiologists immediately noticed the improved image quality and Radiographers have commented on the ease-of-use of the new system,” said Lesley Wilson, Lead Radiographer at Borders General Hospital. “In addition to helping increase CT capacity, the Definition AS+’s rapid scan times and wide bore means patients can benefit from a more comfortable experience at a lower dose.”
Great Western Hospital improves CT capacity and access with new installation
Great Western Hospital in Swindon, part of Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, has an adaptable SOMATOM® Definition AS+ CT from Siemens Healthcare. The system is in close proximity to the hospital’s Accident & Emergency department, enabling rapid access to diagnostic imaging. The CT also scans a range of patients as part of a general imaging service and a cardiac CT service has also been introduced, giving a boost to the number of referrals Great Western Hospital receives.
The new system was selected to enable the Trust to increase capacity, with a view to enabling
same-day access for all CT scan requests. Shorter waits for emergency patients was also a key priority, particularly those suffering from a suspected stroke. The Definition AS+ provides a fast and accurate diagnosis making the system highly suitable for emergency situations.
Since the installation, the hospital has been able to offer advanced diagnostic imaging via CT to more patients than before. Its high temporal resolution of up to 150 ms, combined with extremely fast coverage with 128 slices per rotation, delivers crystal-clear images, free of movement artifacts and showing the finest anatomical details.
“The Definition AS+ has surpassed our expectations. We are absolutely delighted with it and can now offer our patients an even better service,” said Gail Powell, Radiology Manager at Great Western Hospital. “The system is very intuitive and easy-to-use, meaning we have been able to hit the ground running with our increased referrals.”
Information on customer reference sites can be obtained by contacting Russell Lodge, CT Business Manager via
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“The Definition AS+ has surpassed our expectations. We are absolutely delighted with it and can now offer our patients an even better service. The system is very intuitive and easy-to-use, meaning we have been able to hit the ground running with our increased referrals.”
Gail Powel
Radiology Manager
Great Western Hospital
Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
“Radiologists immediately noticed the improved image quality and Radiographers have commented on the ease-of-use of the new system. In addition to helping increase CT capacity, the Definition AS+’s rapid scan times and wide bore means patients can benefit from a more comfortable experience at a lower dose.”
Lesley Wilson
Lead Radiographer
Borders General Hospital
Borders NHS Board
