Heart specialists in Glasgow will be able to extend their research with the aid of a new cardiovascular MRI scanner.

The Siemens Magnetom Verio 3T was selected by the British Heart Foundation Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre at Glasgow University for its image quality and processing ability.

The Verio 3T will be used to image heart muscle injury in heart attack patients and assess carotid artery circulation in stroke patients or those at risk from stroke, as well as for clinical trials.

"We chose the Verio 3T because, in our group's view, it was the best available system for cardiovascular MRI in terms of image quality, wide bore and image processing," said Dr. Colin Berry, Consultant Cardiologist at the Research Centre. "We look forward to the enhancements it will bring in terms of research capabilities, ability and productivity."

The Magnetom Verio 3T MRI scanner has a 70cm bore, wider than the usual design, and has the strongest magnet field strength in clinical use. It can be used for imaging, spectroscopy and other applications.

James Weir, Regional Sales Manager for Siemens Healthcare, commented: "This order extends Siemens' success with MRI in the academic arena, as the system will join several others already in place throughout University research centres in Scotland."

The purchase of the Glasgow system was funded by the British Heart Foundation.

For more details, visit www.siemens.com/healthcare.

Magnetom Verio 3T MRI