Heart Hospital of Austin to offer new photon-counting CT scanner

Austin, Texas — Heart Hospital of Austin recently became the first facility in Central Texas to offer the world’s first photon-counting computed tomography (CT) scanner, a cutting-edge technology that quickly generates images of fine structures in vivid detail, empowering physicians to make confident clinical decisions with diagnostic consistency. 

“At Heart Hospital of Austin, we are committed to leading with innovation that matches the complexity of the cardiovascular care we provide,” Brett Matens, chief executive officer at Heart Hospital of Austin, said “This new technology will be impactful for our surgical and procedural patients, enabling physicians to deliver more precise, informed care for patients who need it most.” 

The novel CT features a revolutionary detector that converts X-ray photons directly into electrical signals without information loss, producing ultra-high-resolution imaging beyond the scope of a conventional CT. The technology combines high-resolution, spectral information with speed and power to provide all relevant CT data in a single scan, elevating physicians’ clinical decision making and producing diagnostic consistency. 

Patients benefit by receiving standardized results for precise diagnosis, follow-up, and treatment. Diagnostic consistency is paramount to previously unscannable pulmonary and  cardiology patients who have unique demands in imaging. The CT offers a new level of detail for challenging patients who can now be scanned more frequently. 

The new technology can also be used for HeartSaver CT scans. The quick and painless test takes an X-ray of the heart to help physicians determine if patients have plaque or calcium buildup in the heart’s arteries. HeartSaver CT scans are recommended for men ages 40-65 or women ages 45-70 with one or more of the following risk factors: 

• Family history of heart disease
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Overweight
• Inactive life style
• Obstructive Sleep Apnea
• Erectile Dysfunction