NCH Rooney Heart Institute Introduces Another First

NCH Rooney Heart Institute Introduces Advanced Photon-Counting
Cardiac CT, One of the First in the United States

The NCH Rooney Heart Institute has installed the Siemens NAEOTOM Alpha.Peak photon-counting CT scanner, bringing one of the most advanced cardiac imaging technologies in the world to Southwest Florida and placing NCH among a select group of U.S. centers offering next-generation CT imaging.

The FDA-cleared NAEOTOM Alpha.Peak scanner is a pioneering photon-counting CT system that can generate images not attainable with other systems. Unlike conventional CT scanners, which convert X-rays to visible light before producing an image, photon-counting technology directly measures each individual X-ray photon. This results in significantly clearer, more detailed images at lower radiation doses.

With resolution precision to 0.20 millimeters, the Alpha.Peak scanner allows NCH advanced cardiac imaging physicians to visualize early coronary plaque, vessel wall changes and inflammation that standard CT systems cannot detect.

“This is a tremendous advancement for early cardiac diagnosis,” said Dee Dee Wang, MD, Section Head of Cardiac Imaging at the NCH Rooney Heart Institute. “Photon-counting CT gives us unprecedented clarity. We can detect subtle changes in coronary arteries years before symptoms develop, which opens the door to truly preventive cardiovascular care.”

The new scanner also strengthens NCH’s integration with its Caristo predictive AI platform, an emerging technology capable of identifying dangerous inflammation and other early indicators of cardiac disease up to 10 years before traditional testing. The Alpha scanner’s enhanced vessel-wall resolution and spectral imaging capabilities provide the high-quality inputs needed for the AI model to perform at its highest accuracy, improving clinicians’ ability to stratify risk and personalize treatment.

“For our patients, this means we can pair the world’s most advanced CT imaging with the most advanced cardiac prediction tool,” said Dr. Wang. “Together, photon-counting CT and Caristo AI allow us to see risk earlier, act sooner and prevent more heart attacks.”

The NAEOTOM Alpha.Peak scanner is particularly impactful for patients with prior heart stents or heavy coronary calcium – a common challenge in Florida’s older population – because photon-counting reduces “blooming” artifacts and improves visualization of plaque hidden by calcification and metal.

NCH’s adoption of photon-counting CT is part of the Rooney Heart Institute’s long-term plan to build a nationally recognized program in cardiac prevention, diagnostics and longevity medicine. The institute continues integrating advanced imaging, artificial intelligence and precision-treatment strategies across its cardiac programs.

“The addition of the latest world-class photon-counting CT scanner to NCH underscores our commitment to provide our community with the highest level of cardiovascular care,” said Robert Cubeddu, MD, Brynne and Bob Coletti Endowed Chair and President of NCH Rooney Heart Institute. “This technology elevates Naples above many major academic medical centers and enables earlier, more precise detection and treatment of heart disease.”

The NAEOTOM Alpha.Peak is now operational at NCH and available for cardiac imaging, coronary CT angiography and AI-driven risk assessment. For information on the NCH Rooney Heart Institute, please visit www.NCHmd.org/cardiology.

ABOUT NCH
NCH (Naples Comprehensive Health) is an Advanced Community Healthcare SystemTM serving Southwest Florida with premier routine, critical, and specialty care. NCH, a locally governed non-profit, is recognized as one of Healthgrades America’s Top 50 Hospitals which puts it in the top 1% in the nation for clinical excellence, in addition to being named a Top 50 Hospital for Surgical Care.

The system is more than just two hospitals (referred to as the NCH Baker Hospital and NCH North Hospital) with more than 700 beds – NCH is an alliance of over 750 physicians and medical facilities in dozens of locations throughout Southwest Florida and is the region’s only Joint Commission accredited Comprehensive Stroke Center. NCH cardiac care is ranked top three in the state by Healthgrades. With the largest provider network, urgent/immediate care centers, diagnostic facilities, and two hospitals, NCH is always advancing the quality of care near you. For more information, visit www.NCHmd.org.