MDs Balance Pros, Cons of 'Super X-Ray'

By MARILYNN MARCHIONE, AP Medical Writer, Medicine & Health / Research

(AP) -- A type of "super X-ray" showed promise in its first big test as a potentially cheaper, faster and painless way to find out whether certain people with signs of heart disease actually have it and need treatment. The scans might eliminate the need for some of the 1.3 million cardiac catheterizations done each year in the United States to check for clogged arteries, said Dr. Julie Miller of Johns Hopkins University.

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Posted by BigTone 11/06/07 12:01

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The naysayers are being ridiculous and should welcome all and any new tools.

I can't believe they are dismissive about this technology b/c of the risks of radiation dosage - I mean come on - this is the medical profession that regularly kills people from general anesthesia for "routine" procedures.

The risks and resulting deaths of anesthesia are well documented - and many doctors will use this even for diagnosis of non-fatal conditions (i.e. Endoscopy for GI problems). I can't see how a little extra dosage of radiation even comes close to general anesthesia on a patient risk spectrum.