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) – 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 cardiometabolic@tgh.org.