Colorado Heart & Body Imaging Offers Unusual, Health-Minded Gift Certificates

DENVER -- A different kind of gift certificate is on tap this holiday season from Colorado Heart and Body Imaging, which opens its second location in Denver by year's end. The high-tech heart and body scanning facility is offering diagnostic imaging gift certificates for heart, lung, total body and bone density scans plus virtual colonoscopy. The certificates can be purchased at Colorado Heart & Body Imaging (CHBI) and are valid through December 2003.

"It is a bit unusual, I'll admit," said Dr. James Ehrlich, medical director and founder of CHBI. "But when you think about it, there's really no better way to show a loved one, friend, or valued employee how much you care. It carries a great deal of meaning and gives someone the gift of the most advanced and accurate preventive imaging in the world -- right here in Denver."

Gift certificates for the following scans are available, with discounts for multiple certificates:

* Coronary Artery Scan ("heart scan") -- examination of the heart with a coronary calcium score. Includes all interpretations and comprehensive report as well as chest image examination by a radiologist. $495.

* Lung Scan (screening) -- high resolution, low radiation dose scan of the lungs and chest performed by a board certified radiologist. Pulmonary function testing (spirometry) is included. $395.

* Full Body Scan -- coronary heart scan, EBT lung screen, pulmonary function testing and EBT abdomen/pelvis scans with or without oral contrast. Includes radiologist interpretations. $895 (with QCT bone densitometry, $975).

* Virtual Colonoscopy -- examination of the abdomen/pelvis and colon with radiologic examination of complete colon surface for polyps, cancer, etc. Radiologic reports are included. This procedure requires light preparation. $975.

* QCT Bone Density Scan -- Accurate bone density exams to examine bone density and monitor changes. $225.

The high resolution, low radiation dose Electron Beam Tomography (EBT) scanner used at CHBI is FDA-approved and represents the only proven technology for the early detection of coronary artery disease.

In addition to the early detection imaging services of EBT scans, CHBI also provides easy access to information about risk-lowering strategies, medications, products and lifestyle choices.

Founded in 1997, Colorado Heart & Body Imaging is a comprehensive, preventive screening center located in Denver, Colo. The center offers lung, heart, colon, total body and bone density imaging for early detection of coronary disease and cancer as well as non-imaging based services and consultation. CHBI uses FDA-approved electron beam tomography (EBT), with its extraordinarily fast acquisition speeds. Unlike slower and higher radiation helical (spiral) mechanical equipment, EBT's usefulness for coronary imaging and cardiac risk assessment has been validated extensively in cardiology literature. CHBI is associated with Colorado Imaging Associates, P.C., a group of board certified radiologists serving the Denver area since 1957, with extensive experience and training in all areas of diagnostic imaging.

Source: PRNewswire