“I appreciate the high spatial resolution in abdominal CTA and vascular run-offs, but what really counts is the speed of the system in cardiac exams,” Muhr says. The fact that the SOMATOM Definition captures any heart at any rate and thus enables coronary CTA without prior administration of beta-blockers not only makes the method available for more patients – such as asthmatics, who can not take beta-blockers – it also enables tighter and more streamlined scheduling. “Sensitivity to beta-blockers differs from one patient to the next, so you’re hardly able to schedule them one after the other for coronary CTA with conventional systems.” With SOMATOM Definition, Muhr manages four to five patients an hour.

He knows from year-long experience with the latest medical imaging technology that billboard signs along highways are not enough to convince referrers of the diagnostic capabilities of new technology. He uses those signs, plus the practice’s website, mainly to attract patients. Referrers are invited several times a year to seminars and lectures about the latest advantages of the practice’s systems in order to support them in finding the best study method for their individual patient’s needs.