Tampa General Hospital (TGH) has integrated two GE Healthcare Revolution APEX 512-slice computed tomography (CT) scanners into its facilities to enhance heart care.
The scanners, leveraging AI and machine learning, enhance imaging speed, resolution, and patient comfort, refining the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
The acquisition of these advanced scanners was facilitated by a generous donation from the Ferman family to the TGH Foundation.
One scanner is installed at the TGH Ferman Family Imaging Centre on the Davis Islands campus, while the other is designated for inpatient examinations within the hospital.
TGH enterprise imaging senior vice president Sherri Lewman said: “This investment supports our mission to bring world-class diagnostic technology to our patients.
“By integrating AI-driven imaging, we’re improving accuracy while enhancing patient safety and comfort.”
The 512-slice CT scanner plays a pivotal role in the TGH Cardiometabolic Disease Prevention Programme, providing detailed images of the heart and coronary arteries.
The programme focuses on early detection, risk assessment, and personalised interventions to prevent the progression of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.
The metabolic diseases include diabetes and obesity-related heart conditions.
The upgrade in cardiac imaging infrastructure is a collaborative initiative between the TGH Heart & Vascular Institute and the hospital’s radiologists.
The CT scanners feature the latest advancements, such as deep learning-based image reconstruction and ultra-high-resolution imaging, to enhance cardiac imaging precision.
They offer superior speed, clarity, and diagnostic precision, enabling physicians to assess coronary artery disease, structural heart conditions, and other cardiovascular abnormalities.
Tampa General cardiac CT program director and the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine faculty member Shone Almeida said: “This technology is a game-changer for cardiac imaging at Tampa General.
“With sharper images and faster scan times, we can diagnose heart disease with greater confidence, allowing cardiologists to make better treatment decisions and improve patient outcomes.
“The integration of this technology into our cardiometabolic program enables us to identify early signs of heart disease before symptoms arise, offering patients a chance to take preventive action.”
Revolution APEX CT scanner enhances image quality and enables rapid scanning with motion correction, providing precision for complex cardiac and routine cases.
Its ultra-high resolution is ideal for detailed visualisation of cerebral blood vessels and musculoskeletal structures.
By capturing larger areas of the body in a single rotation, the system reduces the need for multiple scans and improves diagnostic accuracy with sharper images.
In addition, faster scan times and dose-reduction technologies enhance patient safety and comfort, contributing to a more positive patient experience.
The installation of these cutting-edge imaging units aligns with Tampa General’s broader commitment to innovation, advanced diagnostics, and excellence in patient care.
Tampa General’s Ferman Family Imaging Center is a hospital-based diagnostic imaging centre located at 2 Tampa General Circle in Tampa.
TGH Heart & Vascular Institute’s Cardiovascular Imaging program cardiothoracic co-director and USF Health Morsani College of Medicine department of radiology assistant professor Hristina Natcheva said
“The 512-slice CT scanners significantly improve diagnostic accuracy and efficiency by providing high-definition images that facilitate precise interpretation.
“We can conduct highly detailed diagnostic exams, enabling more refined and comprehensive interpretations, strengthening our ability to detect and diagnose cardiovascular diseases.”
