The Lee Memorial Health System Foundation Board announced that they have approved funding allocations for two pieces of equipment. The new equipment will also help HealthPark’s medical teams keep up with increased heart and vascular patient volumes.

The purchase of a second vascular scanner was approved by the LMHS Board. The ultrasound scanner is used to diagnose heart-related abnormalities. There has been a 15 percent increase in vascular procedures at HealthPark from January of 2007 to January 2008. Increased patient volumes necessitated an additional scanner.

Also approved for purchase was a HearTwave II Microvolt T-Wave Alternans System which detects subtle beat-to-beat fluctuations called t-wave alternans. Patients with t-wave alternans are at a significantly higher risk for sudden cardiac death or life-threatening arrhythmias. Once diagnosed by this new technology, the patient can be treated and monitored accordingly. The non-invasive t-wave alternans testing is also utilized in the determination of whether or not a patient will benefit from the implantation of internal cardiac defibrillator.