Holy Name Press Releases

Holy Name Offers New Clinical Innovation in Cardiac Imaging to Detect Heart Disease Before It Strikes

Photon-Counting CT (PCCT) Technology Available at Few Medical Centers Worldwide

March 5, 2025

Holy Name Medical Center is proud to announce it is one of only two hospitals in New Jersey—and one of the few in the world—now utilizing a cutting-edge cardiac imaging technology: photon-counting CT or PCCT.

This next-generation CT scanner provides significant benefits to both physicians and patients, including clearer, more detailed images of the heart, exposing patients to less radiation while enabling doctors to confidently detect life-threatening issues and provide faster, more accurate diagnoses.

Traditional computed tomography (CT) is a vital tool in diagnosing injuries and diseases within various parts of the body, but CT scans often require multiple steps and expose patients to higher doses of radiation. Comparatively, photon-counting CT technology produces higher-resolution, higher-contrast images with only a single step, dramatically improving clarity and minimizing radiation dose. PCCT enables healthcare providers to assess complex areas like the heart with superior accuracy, particularly in determining the need for further procedures, such as cardiac catheterization.

"This advancement is changing the standard of care for cardiac and coronary imaging," said Dr. Jeffrey Goldman, radiologist at Holy Name. “Coronary CT angioplasty with photon-counting CT , enhanced by AI, allows us to see previously undetected health issues in highly detailed images. The increased resolution of advanced PCCT increases its accuracy which decreases the need for additional tests," he added.

Photon-counting CT offers several benefits over traditional CT scans:

• Enhanced Imaging Capabilities: High-resolution images provide doctors with greater clarity, improving diagnostic accuracy for complex cases, such as evaluating calcified coronary arteries or performing time-sensitive procedures like trauma or stroke imaging.
• Reduced Radiation Exposure: Patients benefit from lower radiation doses and likely fewer scans while receiving more precise and detailed diagnostic information.
• Faster Scan Times: The technology integrates high-resolution imaging with the speed of dual-source CT, offering scan times as fast as 491 mm/sec. This rapid speed can be applied in cardiology, performing scans at high heart rates without the need for beta-blockers.
• Broader Application: In addition to cardiac imaging, PCCT can be used across various medical fields, including oncology, where it helps detect subtle tumors and improve early-stage diagnosis.

The greater efficiency translates to an improved patient experience. For example, when the technology is used to help diagnose lung diseases, patients who have trouble holding their breath benefit by the fast speed of the scan, and when used in children, scans can be completed without sedating a child.

PCCT incorporates AI-driven plaque analysis into the process. After a patient undergoes an Alpha CT scan, the resulting image is uploaded to the AI platform that evaluates plaque build-up, assesses the risk for heart disease, and even recommends treatment options—taking preventative care to a new level. This innovative approach is designed to revolutionize how we understand and prevent heart disease, giving doctors the ability to catch issues before they become life-threatening.

“This new technology allows us to confidently rule out blocked arteries, especially in patients with high calcifications," says Dr. Goldman. "By avoiding the need for invasive tests, we can improve patient care, reduce wait times, and start treatment sooner."

Holy Name Hospital’s acquisition of this revolutionary technology further positions it as a leader in patient care, enhancing its ability to deliver world-class, precise diagnostic imaging to the community. Photon-counting computed tomography will replace conventional CT examinations.

For more information about Holy Name’s availability of the new photon-counting CT technology, please visit see my heart.