The greater the number of "slices" captured by a CT scanner, the sharper and more detailed the final image. One of the greatest advantages of 64-slice CT is it can gather a high-resolution image of a heart, brain or both lungs in less than five seconds and a scan of the whole body in about 30 seconds. The speed of the 64-slice CT scanner has also allowed for the technology to be an alternative to some conventional treatments or procedures that previously could only be performed surgically or more invasively. Physicians are able to detect cancerous tumors while they are still very small and identify blockages in smaller blood vessels.  

64-slice CT produces incredibly detailed, razor-sharp images of all major organs; but perhaps makes its biggest contribution to the imaging of coronary arteries. The use of 64-slice CT for cardiac imaging is called 64-slice cardiac CT angiography or CCTA. Its ability to expose the early stages of heart disease, as well as visually document the results of treatment, gives CCTA the potential to save thousands of lives.