French Hospital Medical Center’s (FHMC’s) Copeland, Forbes & Rossi Cardiac Care Center can now provide advanced, real-time, full-volume, four dimensional (4-D) images of the entire heart with the addition of the new Siemens ACUSON SC2000 Ultrasound System.

FHMC is the first and only hospital on the Central Coast to obtain the Siemens ACUSON SC2000 Ultrasound System. As one of the top 100 Cardiac Care hospitals in the nation, the addition of this system will allow our physicians to capture 20 full volume images in one second. Siemens' "Echo in a Heartbeat" technology delivers advanced image resolution of the heart, in less time, with better clinical results.

"FHMC recently announced plans for our $39 million expansion and redesign. As part of that project, and as the Cardiac Center of choice in San Luis Obispo County, we are committed to bringing the latest and best technology to our patients," says Alan Iftiniuk, President and CEO of FHMC. 

The Siemens Acuson SC2000 4-D system introduces an entirely new level of imaging technology to produce the most accurate images of cardiac structure and function, using non-radiation ultrasound energy.  The system has been designed to make cardiac and vascular imaging easier to obtain.                                   

For the first time ever, physicians can see an entire cardiac volume and capture all the data needed to evaluate and diagnose in a single heartbeat. 

Compared with currently utilized 2-D and 3-D technology, the new 4-D system allows instantaneous display of cardiac structures with superior quality. This real-time imaging allows improved diagnostic capabilities due to a more accurate view of valve and wall motion activity.

This system will improve efficiency so that the patient can be diagnosed and treated more quickly.

"The addition of this technology to the cardiac resources at French Hospital will enhance cardiologists' ability to make accurate diagnoses, and provide optimal care for their patients with heart disease," said Cardiologist Robert Doria, MD. 

To learn more, visit www.frenchmedicalcenter.org.