Tampa General Hospital Enhances Heart Care with Cutting-Edge Imaging Technology

This new 512-slice CT scanner excels in advanced imaging, prioritizing speed, resolution and patient comfort.

TAMPA, Fla., May 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Tampa General Hospital (TGH) is raising the bar for heart care with the addition of two GE Healthcare Revolution APEX 512-Slice computed tomography (CT) scanners. The advanced scanners leverage artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technologies to deliver faster, clearer and more precise scans, refining diagnoses and treatments of cardiovascular diseases.

The purchase of the scanners was made possible thanks to a generous gift by the Ferman family to the TGH Foundation. One is located at the TGH Ferman Family Imaging Center in Tampa General Hospital Diagnostic Imaging on the Davis Islands campus; the other is being used for inpatient examinations within the hospital itself.

"This technology is a game-changer for cardiac imaging at Tampa General," remarked Dr. Shone Almeida, director of the Cardiac CT program at Tampa General and a faculty member of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. "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 512-slice CT scanner is a cornerstone of the TGH Cardiometabolic Disease Prevention Program, providing highly detailed images of the heart and coronary arteries. The program focuses on early detection, risk assessment and personalized interventions to prevent the progression of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases such as diabetes and obesity-related heart conditions. "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," said Almeida who is also the medical director for the cardiometabolic program at Tampa General.

This latest upgrade in cardiac imaging represents a collaborative effort between the TGH Heart & Vascular Institute and the academic health system's radiologists. The scanners feature the latest technological advancements, from deep learning-based image reconstruction to ultra-high-resolution imaging.

"This investment supports our mission to bring world-class diagnostic technology to our patients," said Sherri Lewman, senior vice president of Enterprise Imaging at TGH. "By integrating AI-driven imaging, we're improving accuracy while enhancing patient safety and comfort."

Designed to enhance cardiac imaging precision, the CT scanners offer exceptional speed, clarity and diagnostic precision. It allows physicians to assess coronary artery disease, structural heart conditions and other cardiovascular abnormalities in unparalleled detail.

"This is a significant breakthrough; access to this top level of imaging enables our team of cardiologists to identify even the most complex conditions accurately," said Dr. Aarti Patel, co-director of the TGH Heart & Vascular Institute's Cardiovascular Imaging program, Cardiology and an associate professor in the Division of Cardiology, USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. "This information is crucial for developing personalized treatment plans that cater to each patient's unique needs, ultimately leading to improved long-term outcomes."

"The 512-slice CT scanners significantly improve diagnostic accuracy and efficiency by providing high-definition images that facilitate precise interpretation," said Dr. Hristina Natcheva, co-director of the TGH Heart & Vascular Institute's Cardiovascular Imaging program, Cardiothoracic and an assistant professor, Department of Radiology, USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. "We can conduct highly detailed diagnostic exams, enabling more refined and comprehensive interpretations, strengthening our ability to detect and diagnose cardiovascular diseases."

The Revolution APEX CT scanner leverages advanced AI to enhance image quality and enable rapid scanning with motion correction — providing exceptional precision for complex cardiac and routine cases. Its ultra-high resolution is ideal for detailed visualization of cerebral blood vessels and musculoskeletal structures. By capturing larger areas of the body in a single rotation, the system helps to reduce the need for multiple scans and improves diagnostic accuracy with sharper, more precise, images. Additionally, faster scan times and dose-reduction technologies enhance patient safety and comfort, contributing to a more positive overall patient experience.

The installation of this leading-edge imaging unit is part of 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 center located at 2 Tampa General Circle in Tampa. For more information, call (813) 844-8288. The Cardiometabolic Disease Prevention Program can be reached at (813) 844-3900 or [email protected].

ABOUT TAMPA GENERAL HOSPITAL
Tampa General Hospital, a 981-bed, not-for-profit, academic health system, is one of the largest hospitals in America and delivers world-class care as the region's only center for Level l trauma and comprehensive burn care. Tampa General Hospital is the highest-ranked hospital in the market in U.S. News & World Report's 2024-2025 Best Hospitals, with two medical specialties ranking among the top 20 in the nation and eight medical specialties ranking among the top 50 best hospital programs in the United States. Tampa General Hospital has been designated as a model of excellence by the 2022 Fortune/Merative 100 Top Hospitals list. The academic health system's commitment to growing and developing its team members is recognized by three prestigious Forbes magazine rankings – in the top 100 nationally in the 2024 America's Best Large Employers, the top 50 in Florida in the 2024 America's Best Employers by State and the 2023 America's Best Employers for Women. Tampa General is the safety net hospital for the region, caring for everyone regardless of their ability to pay, and in fiscal year 2023, provided a net community benefit of approximately $301.8 million in the form of health care for underinsured patients, community education, and financial support to community health organizations in Tampa Bay. It was the nation's busiest adult solid organ transplant center in 2024 and is the primary teaching hospital for the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. With five medical helicopters, Tampa General Hospital transports critically injured or ill patients from 23 surrounding counties to receive the advanced care they need. Tampa General houses a nationally accredited comprehensive stroke center, and its 32-bed Neuroscience, Intensive Care Unit is the largest on the West Coast of Florida. It also is home to the Muma Children's Hospital at TGH, the Jennifer Leigh Muma 82-bed neonatal intensive care unit, and a nationally accredited rehabilitation center. Tampa General Hospital's footprint includes TGH North, which is comprised of three hospitals and several outpatient locations in Citrus and Hernando counties, 17 Tampa General Medical Group Primary Care offices, TGH Family Care Center Kennedy, two TGH Outpatient Centers, TGH Virtual Health, and 19 TGH Imaging outpatient radiology centers throughout Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Palm Beach counties. Tampa Bay area residents also receive world-class care from the TGH Urgent Care powered by the Fast Track network of clinics. To see a medical care professional live anytime, anywhere on a smartphone, tablet or computer, visit Virtual Health | Tampa General Hospital (tgh.org). As one of the largest hospitals in the country, Tampa General Hospital is the first in Florida to open a clinical command center that provides real-time situational awareness to improve and better coordinate patient care at a lower cost. For more information, go to www.tgh.org.

Media Contact: Beth Hardy, APR
Assistant Manager
Publications & Physician Communications
(727) 510-6363 (cell)
[email protected]

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SOURCE Tampa General Hospital