Cardiac CT is an important tool for diagnosing cardiovascular diseases, but Cheng Hsin General Hospital President Jeng Wei explained that traditional cardiac CT often faces challenges when imaging patients with severe coronary artery calcification, implanted vascular stents, artificial heart valves, or arrhythmias, which can interfere with accurate diagnosis. To enhance the quality of cardiovascular diagnosis and treatment, Cheng Hsin General Hospital has introduced a Photon-Counting CT (Photon CT), which reduces both radiation exposure and contrast agent usage while providing more precise imaging.

Photon-Counting CT is a high-end imaging technology, costing more than twice that of conventional high-end CT scanners. Cheng Hsin General Hospital officially activated the system on October 1.

Jeng Wei noted that traditional CT scanners first convert X-rays into visible light before detection, whereas Photon CT uses photon-counting detectors that directly convert X-rays into electrical signals and “count” each photon’s energy level. With a temporal resolution of just 66 milliseconds and a scanning speed of 73.7 cm per second, Photon CT can capture the beating heart with exceptional precision, significantly improving image quality.

Severe coronary calcification, implanted stents, artificial valves, and arrhythmias have long been diagnostic pain points for conventional cardiac CT. Multiple international medical journals have confirmed that Photon CT’s high resolution and low noise effectively overcome these challenges. Additionally, Jeng Wei stated that compared with traditional CT, Photon CT can reduce radiation and contrast agent doses by 20–50%, making it safer and more efficient for patients.

The introduction of Photon CT supports Cheng Hsin General Hospital’s three strategic pillars: preventive medicine, precision diagnostics, and smart healthcare. Jeng Wei added that, in the future, combining AI-assisted image interpretation with the hospital’s upcoming health management app will allow patients to quickly access imaging reports and receive follow-up reminders, while physicians can conduct more precise treatment discussions and risk assessments with their patients.

Resource: 克服心臟電腦斷層4大診斷痛點 振興醫院引進「光子CT」布局智慧醫療