The Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) is now offering hi-tech computerised CT heart scans, that can detect calcium deposits and other problems that can lead to circulatory blockages and other heart ailments.

In what is now the only source of CT scans as a result of the closure of the CT unit at the Brown-Darrell Clinic last month, the BHB released a joint statement on Tuesday.

BHB Consultant Cardiologist, Joseph Yammine and the programme’s Director, Anders Haugguard, a consultant radiologist, said the new programme provides “scoring for cardiac risk screening and coronary angiography for assessment of coronary disease and overall heart conditions”.

“It is particularly important because Bermuda does not have a cardiac catherisation laboratory.

“This programme offers an alternative in many cases to surgery to get a clear picture of the state of the vessels in and around the heart and may result in less referrals to facilities overseas.”

The two new tests are CT angiography and cardiac calcium scoring.

The CT angiography scans produce 3D images of arteries that supply blood to the heart, to help diagnose the cause of chest pain. It may also detect blockages and conditions like arterioschlerosis – fatty deposits in blood vessels.

The programme was launched earlier this month to coincide with Heart Month. About 15 people have used the service so far.

BHB Director, Sam Mir,  said: “This programme can be a significant benefit to improve the care of our cardiac patients in Bermuda where the disease remains the number 1 killer.”

BHB Chief of Radiology, Daniel Stovell, noted that the tests are “carried out with minimal exposure to radiation”.

“We have paid close attention to this and are pleased with the achievement in the pilot phase of the programme which took place earlier this month,” he said.

The tests are conducted by “skilled nurses and specially trained radiology technicians under the supervision of a physician.

  • Feature Photos Courtesy of the BHB: Emma Sutherland and Shirmell Lambert – BHB Registered Technicians, Dr Anders Haugaard, BHB Consultant Radiologist, Dr Daniel Stovell, BHB Chief of Radiology, Alshuntae Harvey-Hollis – Registered Technician, Santiah Proctor, BHB RN, Dr Joseph Yammime, BHB Consultant Cardiologist and Director of the Cardiac CT Scan Programme, and Dr Sam Mir, BHB Director of Cardiology
  • Inset Photo From Left: Dr Angers Hauggaard, Dr Daniel Stovell, Dr Joseph Yammine and Dr Sam Mir