The Heart of Innovation

Laudis Chavez, a cardiac technician at Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center, knows a thing or two about heart health. Ironically, she also became a part of Hackensack's cardiac history – as the very first patient to undergo a revolutionary new heart scan called Myocardial Perfusion Imaging using the radioactive tracer, Flurpiridaz F-18 also known as Flyrcado™.

“It was pretty cool being the first,” Laudis chuckled, “especially since I work here and see firsthand how important early detection of heart disease is.”

Laudis, like many healthcare professionals, understands the significance of coronary artery disease (CAD) – the leading cause of death in the US. She’s also familiar with the drawbacks of traditional nuclear stress tests. “They can be long, uncomfortable, and even intimidating for some patients,” she explained. “The radioactive tracer, the exercise or medication, then lying still on a table for what feels like forever, it can be a lot.”

So, when Hackensack introduced PET/CT MPI with Flyrcado™, Laudis was intrigued. This cutting-edge scan promised a dramatically different experience. And it delivered. “It was so much faster!” she exclaimed. “The whole thing took less than an hour, compared to the several hours a traditional test can take.”

But speed wasn’t the only advantage. PET/CT cardiac imaging with Flyrcado™ also provides incredibly detailed images of the heart and arteries, allowing doctors to accurately assess the flow even in very small arteries. “As a cardiac technician, I know how crucial that level of detail is for accurate diagnosis and treatment,” Laudis emphasized.

Using Flurpiridaz in Cardiac PET imaging is a real game-changer for detecting heart disease,” explained Dr. Marian Vandyck-Acquah, FACC FASNC FASE, the director of the NonInvasive Cardiology Lab and the first cardiologist to use the new scan. “The tracer significantly enhances our ability to accurately determine any flow abnormalities in great detail in many patient types when combined with Cardiac PET CT scan with less radiation ;a problem we face with other nuclear testing. Its special feature - a long half life allows it to be readily available for use enhancing high quality patient centered imaging in the community.

Micheal Horton, the vice president of Radiology for Hackensack Meridian Health, compares the new scan to upgrading your television from a standard definition TV to a crystal-clear 4K Ultra HD screen. “We can see even the smallest blockages, which is crucial for catching problems early and preventing more serious issues down the road,” explains Mr. Horton who introduced the new scan to the health network.

"We are honored at Hackensack University Medical Center to be among the first hospitals to offer this cutting-edge heart scan,” says Lisa K. Tank, MD, MBA,FACP, president and chief hospital executive of Hackensack University Medical Center. “As a tertiary and quaternary academic medical center, we are committed to bringing the most advanced technologies, coupled with the expertise of our skilled clinical team, to benefit our patients in the community and beyond.”

For Laudis, the convenience and speed of PET/CT cardiac imaging with Flyrcado™ were game-changers. “Knowing that this technology can detect problems earlier and potentially prevent serious heart issues down the line is incredibly reassuring,” she said. And considering her role at Hackensack, she’s particularly excited about what this means for other patients. “I know how much easier and less stressful this will be for them. It’s a huge improvement.”

Hackensack Meridian Health is investing in this state-of-the-art technology at multiple hospitals in the network, in addition to Hackensack University Medical Center, including JFK Medical Center in Edison and Ocean University Medical Center in Brick, allowing residents across the state to have access to one of the most sophisticated heart scans available. And for Laudis Chavez, being the first patient to experience its benefits was a unique blend of personal and professional pride.

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