New Hanover Regional Medical Center is one of only 32 sites worldwide offering a new technology that gives cardiology patients and doctors better information about the heart, hospital officials said.

The 3D imaging ultrasound  system allows physicians to instantaneously capture a moving image of the entire volume of the patient’s heart in less time and with more detail that was previously available, said Dr. Linda Calhoun, a cardiologist at NHRMC.

“This new ultrasound machine gives us more information about  the anatomy of the heart and the strength of the heart muscle,” Calhoun said in a prepared  statement.

“Because we can get more information as to the causes of heart disease, we can more easily and quickly find a diagnosis, which can save lives,” Calhoun said.

In addition to a quicker diagnosis, the new ultrasound system can save time and testing for patients by  providing physicians with a more complete picture of the heart.

In a single heartbeat, the system can deliver a real representation  of the patient’s beating heart, Calhoun said.

“With the old technology, it used  to take multiple tests to really get a good idea of what was going on in a patient’s heart,” Calhoun said. “With this machine, we may be able to get enough information to avoid further testing, saving the patient time and money.”

Calhoun said earlier-model ultrasound machines could only take a series of 3D still photos of the heart, a process that could take from 45 minutes to an hour to complete.

Now, in about 20 minutes, sonographers can capture 3D real-time video that shows how well the heart muscle is pumping blood, and help  determine if there are any valve abnormalities and whether surgery is needed to correct the problem.

“There are so many benefits to  the patient with this new system,” Calhoun said.