TAMPA, Fla. — May 21, 2025 — Tampa General Hospital (TGH) has taken a major step forward in cardiovascular care with the installation of two advanced GE Healthcare Revolution APEX 512-slice CT scanners. These cutting-edge machines, powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning, are designed to deliver faster, clearer, and more accurate imaging—helping doctors better diagnose and treat heart conditions.
The new scanners were funded by a generous donation from the Ferman family to the TGH Foundation. One scanner is located at the TGH Ferman Family Imaging Center on the hospital’s Davis Islands campus, and the other is being used for inpatient care within the hospital.
“This technology is a game-changer for cardiac imaging at Tampa General,” said Dr. Shone Almeida, director of the hospital’s Cardiac CT program and faculty at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. “Sharper images and quicker scan times help us diagnose heart disease with more confidence, which leads to better treatment decisions and improved patient outcomes.”
The 512-slice CT scanner is a key part of TGH’s Cardiometabolic Disease Prevention Program. This initiative focuses on early detection and personalized treatment to prevent heart conditions linked to diabetes, obesity, and other metabolic disorders. According to Dr. Almeida, who also serves as medical director of the program, the technology allows doctors to identify early signs of heart disease even before symptoms appear, giving patients a vital opportunity for early intervention.
This upgrade in cardiac imaging reflects a partnership between the TGH Heart & Vascular Institute and the hospital’s radiology team. The scanners include the latest in medical technology, such as deep-learning image reconstruction and ultra-high-resolution capabilities.
“This investment supports our mission to bring world-class diagnostic tools to our patients,” said Sherri Lewman, senior vice president of Enterprise Imaging at TGH. “With AI-driven imaging, we’re increasing accuracy while also improving patient comfort and safety.”
The new scanners allow physicians to view the heart and blood vessels in remarkable detail. They can assess coronary artery disease, structural heart conditions, and other cardiovascular issues with greater precision than ever before.
“This is a major advancement,” said Dr. Aarti Patel, co-director of the Cardiovascular Imaging program at the TGH Heart & Vascular Institute and associate professor of cardiology at USF Health. “This technology gives us the ability to detect even complex heart problems and create personalized treatment plans for better long-term results.”
Dr. Hristina Natcheva, co-director of the same program and assistant professor in radiology at USF Health, emphasized the clinical benefits. “These scanners give us high-definition images that improve diagnostic accuracy. We can perform highly detailed exams that lead to more refined interpretations, helping us detect and manage cardiovascular disease more effectively.”
With this investment, Tampa General Hospital continues to solidify its position as a leader in advanced heart care and patient-focused innovation.
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