Roper St. Francis Mount Pleasant Hospital adds Apex CT scanner expanding access to advanced imaging

The scanner is the second Apex CT in the system, following the first installation at Roper St. Francis Berkeley Hospital last year.

The Apex platform captures highly detailed images of the heart quickly, imaging the whole heart in a single cycle. With an ultra-wide detector and fast rotation speed, the scanner can acquire cardiac data in less than a second, reducing motion-related artifacts and improving diagnostic image quality.

Shannon Gayle, Imaging Manager at Roper St. Francis Mount Pleasant Hospital, said the upgrade replaced the CT scanner that had been in use since the hospital opened in 2010 and increased capacity for patients who previously faced longer waits or needed to travel farther for certain imaging.

“This scanner is a big step forward for our patients and our teams,” Gayle said. “It’s faster and incredibly precise, and it means more people can get advanced imaging close to home.”

With nearly 40 appointment slots for coronary CT angiography each week, the added capacity at Roper St. Francis Mount Pleasant Hospital and Roper St. Francis Berkeley Hospital has eased prior backlogs, with some patients able schedule within days rather than weeks. Roper Hospital also provides the coronary scan with different CT technology.

From a clinical perspective, expanded access helps providers evaluate patients faster with a noninvasive option that can support clearer decision-making about next steps in care.

“Coronary CT angiography gives us a detailed, noninvasive look at the coronary arteries in a matter of seconds,” said Dr. Matt Brady, Medical Director for imaging services at Roper St. Francis Healthcare. “Having this capability at Roper St. Francis Mount Pleasant Hospital helps us diagnose or rule out coronary disease sooner, which can speed treatment plans and reduce delays for patients who need answers.”

This technology investment was made possible in part through a gift from the Medical Society of South Carolina to the Roper St. Francis Foundation. The addition supports the health system’s 2030 Strategic Plan by modernizing technology, addressing future clinical needs and improving access by bringing specialized capabilities closer to where patients live and work.