TAMPA, Fla. – May 21, 2025 — Tampa General Hospital (TGH) has taken a major step forward in heart care by adding two advanced GE Healthcare Revolution APEX 512-slice CT scanners to its facilities. These state-of-the-art machines use artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to produce faster and more detailed images, helping doctors diagnose and treat heart disease with greater accuracy.
The new scanners were funded by a generous donation from the Ferman family to the TGH Foundation. One scanner has been installed at the TGH Ferman Family Imaging Center on the Davis Islands campus, while the other is in use for inpatient care inside the hospital.
“This technology is a game-changer for cardiac imaging at Tampa General,” said Dr. Shone Almeida, director of the Cardiac CT program at TGH and a faculty member at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. “With clearer images and faster scans, we can spot heart disease more reliably, which helps us choose better treatments and improve outcomes for our patients.”
The new 512-slice CT scanner plays a key role in the hospital’s Cardiometabolic Disease Prevention Program. This program focuses on early detection, risk assessment, and tailored treatment plans to prevent heart disease related to conditions like diabetes and obesity. “We can now detect signs of heart trouble even before symptoms appear,” said Dr. Almeida, who also leads the cardiometabolic program. “This gives patients a valuable opportunity to take action early.”
The scanners are part of a joint effort between the TGH Heart & Vascular Institute and the hospital’s radiologists. They include cutting-edge features such as deep learning image reconstruction and ultra-high-resolution imaging.
“This investment supports our mission to deliver world-class care with advanced technology,” said Sherri Lewman, senior vice president of Enterprise Imaging at TGH. “By using AI-powered tools, we’re making diagnostics more accurate while also making the experience safer and more comfortable for patients.”
The new scanners allow doctors to quickly and clearly evaluate conditions such as coronary artery disease and structural heart issues. They provide highly detailed images that help cardiologists make confident diagnoses.
“This is a major breakthrough,” said Dr. Aarti Patel, co-director of TGH’s Cardiovascular Imaging program and associate professor of cardiology at USF Health. “Having access to this level of imaging helps us identify even the most complex heart conditions. This information is essential for building personalized treatment plans that improve long-term results.”
Dr. Hristina Natcheva, co-director of the same program and assistant professor of radiology at USF Health, said the scanners also boost efficiency. “The high-definition images allow us to interpret results with greater precision. That leads to better and more thorough diagnoses.”
The Revolution APEX scanners also reduce the number of scans needed by capturing more of the body in a single rotation.
The machines include motion correction and dose-reduction features, improving image quality while keeping patients safer and more comfortable during their exams.
Tampa General Hospital’s latest investment marks another stride in its ongoing commitment to cutting-edge care, offering patients some of the most advanced heart imaging technology available today.
