Northern Louisiana Medical Center (NLMC) Acquires New Digital Imaging System to Help Local Doctors Diagnose and Treat Cardio and Vascular Diseases

Ruston, Louisiana (01/09/09) – Using a versatile imaging system, doctors at Northern Louisiana Medical Center are now able to perform both cardiac and vascular exams on patients with a single system. The GE Innova® 3100 all digital cardiovascular and interventional imaging system is helping NLMC’s physicians to clearly see the blood vessels and anatomy of the heart, as well as blood vessels throughout the entire body – even the smallest, finest vessels all the way to the fingertips, according to Tripp Smith, NLMC Assistant CEO.

“The remarkable utility of GE’s Innova 3100 allows our physicians to diagnose and treat cardiovascular patients who have a wide range of conditions, all on one system,” said Doug Sills, NLMC Chief Executive Officer. “Many patients coming to NLMC have both coronary and vascular conditions, which we can now more accurately and efficiently diagnose – and in some cases even treat – during a single procedure. This eliminates the stress and inconvenience of having to undergo multiple procedures.”

The images produced by GE’s Innova 3100 are so detailed that NLMC physician’s are able to see clearly enough to safely maneuver the smallest medical devices – such as catheters, stents, and guidewires – during balloon angioplasties, vascular interventions and other clinical procedures. In addition, GE’s Innova 3100 opens up new opportunities for NLMC to provide a wide range of image-guided, minimally invasive treatment options that offer patients advantages over traditional surgery.

“These minimally invasive procedures reduce risk, lessen pain and stress, shorten recovery times and lower procedure expenses,” said Mr. Smith.

Manufactured by GE Healthcare, the Innova 3100 is the latest addition to GE’s industry-leading line of Innova® digital flat panel cardiovascular and interventional imaging systems. With hundreds of systems installed worldwide, more physicians rely on GE’s Innova systems to help them diagnose and treat cardiovascular disease than any other digital flat panel system.

About Northern Louisiana Medical Center

Northern Louisiana Medical Center is a 159 bed hospital facility with full ancillary, specialist, rehabilitation, imaging, and even women’s center support. Any person having questions in regard to our new cath lab, or questions and concerns about another healthcare issue, should call 254-2453.