Queensland’s next-gen CT sets new benchmark for heart disease imaging

Queensland X-Ray, part of Sonic Healthcare, has installed Queensland’s first photon-counting CT scanner at its Mount Gravatt practice, introducing a new diagnostic imaging capability for patients undergoing assessment for heart disease.

The multi-million-dollar investment in Siemens Healthineers’ Naeotom Alpha.Pro coincides with World Heart Day and is expected to expand access to non-invasive cardiac imaging, particularly for patients whose scans have traditionally been difficult to interpret.

Conventional CT remains an essential tool in modern healthcare and has transformed the assessment of cardiovascular disease. However, diagnostic certainty can be compromised by factors including extensive calcium in the vessel wall, previous stent placement, or high or irregular heart rates.

When conventional imaging is inconclusive, patients may require an invasive coronary angiogram to establish a definitive diagnosis. Clinical evidence indicates that photon-counting CT could help avoid up to one in two of these invasive procedures, potentially improving patient safety, reducing pressure on hospital services and supporting more streamlined, patient-centred care pathways.

The significance of the investment comes against a substantial cardiovascular disease burden across Australia. Every 12 minutes, an Australian loses their life to cardiovascular disease, while every minute another person is hospitalised with a cardiovascular condition.

Dr Siobhan Boyle, Cardiologist at Queensland X-Ray, said the technology could significantly improve the assessment of coronary artery disease.

“Photon-counting CT is not simply the next generation of CT. It provides a new level of anatomical detail and diagnostic information that can help us assess patients who have traditionally been difficult to image,” explained Dr Boyle. “For patients with extensive coronary calcification, existing stents or irregular heart rhythms, obtaining a clear diagnosis can be challenging. Naeotom Alpha.Pro helps overcome many of these limitations, allowing more patients to be assessed confidently using non-invasive cardiac imaging. More conclusive imaging can provide patients with clearer answers earlier and, where appropriate, may reduce the need for invasive coronary angiography.”

Jamie Byrnes, Chief Operating Officer at Queensland X-Ray, said the installation reflects the organisation’s commitment to bringing market-leading diagnostic capabilities to the state.

“This investment is about much more than installing a new scanner. It gives Queensland patients local access to an entirely new level of diagnostic imaging. The potential to provide more definitive answers, expand access to non-invasive cardiac assessment and reduce avoidable procedures demonstrates why this is such an important advancement for patients and the broader healthcare system,” he stated.

The technology may be particularly relevant to people living with diabetes, chronic kidney disease, obesity or established heart disease. These conditions can increase cardiovascular risk and heighten the importance of timely and reliable assessment.

Nathan Bamford, Head of CT at Siemens Healthineers ANZ, said photon-counting CT marks a defining step forward for diagnostic imaging.

“Conventional CT transformed medicine and continues to play an indispensable role in patient care. Photon-counting CT represents the next major step because it changes the information available from a scan and expands what clinicians can assess non-invasively,” commented Bamford. “By combining unprecedented anatomical detail, spectral information and speed, Naeotom Alpha.Pro can help overcome longstanding challenges in cardiovascular imaging. Its value lies not only in what clinicians can now see, but in the more confident, personalised and potentially less invasive care pathways that information can enable.”

Beyond coronary imaging the benefits of photon-counting CT extend across a broad range of examinations, with particular value where fine anatomical detail, low-contrast structures or tissue characterisation are important to the diagnosis. These include oncology, pulmonary, neurological, musculoskeletal and abdominal imaging.

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