Diagnostic Imaging Services

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Nova™

Introducing Nova™ — non-invasive vessel analysis

La Porte Regional Health System (LRHS) made a novel investment into non-invasive vessel analysis technology for the sake of the community.

The Diagnostic Imaging department began using Nova™ nearly a year ago — making La Porte Hospital the first imaging center in Indiana to offer the technology.

Nova™ (Non-invasive Optimal Vessel Analysis) is an advanced tool that detects abnormal blood flow in the neck, brain and kidneys. The software technology was developed by VasSol, providing physicians with a comprehensive picture of vascular health
and measurement of not only the structure of the vessels but also the direction and velocity
of blood flow.

Physicians may refer those patients who are at risk for a stroke, based on family history, or who experience stroke-like symptoms. The study may also be helpful for patients suspected of having a narrowing of an artery to the kidney.

“Nova™ is a promising new technology,
and shows that La Porte Hospital is at
the forefront of medicine and on the
leading edge of the latest and greatest
technology.”
              - Smari Thordarson, MD, Radiologist

The patient’s head, neck or kidney is scanned by an MRI machine with results displayed as a 3D image. Nova enhances diagnostic accuracy by measuring how much blood is flowing through an artery without using invasive techniques. Nova compliments the traditional methods that only show areas of narrowing and do not provide flow volume information. The information provided by Nova helps physicians make decisions on how to best treat patients.

This non-invasive alternative particularly benefits patients with kidney failure or those allergic to the dye used in traditional testing methods. The traditional method injects dye into a patient’s veins to help detect total or partial blockages in the arteries.

For more information, call the Heart & Vascular Institute at (219) 326-2626.