Sentara Health launches advanced Cardiac PET program
Strengthening heart care through next-generation imaging that enables earlier detection and more precise treatment
Sentara Health is expanding its cardiovascular imaging services with the launch of a new Cardiac PET/CT program, adding an advanced non-invasive imaging tool that enhances heart disease diagnosis and supports comprehensive cardiac care across the region. Sentara Norfolk General will offer the technology as will Sentara RMH Medical Center and Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital.
A PET/CT combines Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Computed Tomography (CT) into a single imaging exam that requires no surgery. Together, these technologies provide physicians with both functional and anatomical information about the heart and surrounding tissues. The result is a comprehensive evaluation that supports more precise diagnosis and treatment planning.
The addition of Cardiac PET/CT means more personalized and expedited care for patients because of the exceptional diagnostic accuracy and detailed information promptly available to cardiologists. Compared to traditional Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) nuclear medicine imaging, Cardiac PET delivers higher-resolution images with fewer distortions, resulting in more confident diagnoses. The technology also uses a state-of-the-art PET radiotracer approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2025.
“We are thrilled to launch our new Cardiac PET program and expand the advanced diagnostic services available to our cardiology patients,” said Brandie Crossland, PET/CT radiology manager for Hampton Roads. “This has been a true team effort, and I am incredibly proud of the dedication and collaboration of the many Sentara team members who invested their time to bring this program to fruition.”
Cardiac PET/CT is particularly beneficial for patients who require pharmacologic stress testing because they are unable to exercise, as well as those who have inconclusive results from previous stress tests or coronary CT angiography.
The American Society of Nuclear Cardiology recognizes Cardiac PET as an important option for cardiac stress imaging because of its high diagnostic accuracy and ability to provide detailed information about blood flow to the heart. The most appropriate imaging test is determined based on a patient’s clinical needs, physician recommendations, and available resources such as insurance coverage.
The technology also provides significant advantages for patients with obesity or other factors that can reduce the quality of conventional imaging.
“By bringing Cardiac PET/CT to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, Sentara is expanding access to advanced cardiovascular imaging technology that enables earlier disease detection, greater diagnostic precision, and more personalized treatment strategies for patients throughout the region,” said Sanjay Shah, M.D., medical director of cardiac imaging. “This investment strengthens our ability to deliver exceptional heart care and improve outcomes for the communities we serve.”
“Launching our new Cardiac PET program marks an exciting step forward in expanding access to advanced diagnostic services for cardiology patients,” said Jana Miller, imaging manager and radiation safety officer at Sentara RMH Medical Center. “This milestone reflects the vision, dedication, and collaboration of an extraordinary team across Sentara, and I am incredibly proud of everyone who came together to turn that vision into reality.”
At Sentara Martha Jefferson, leaders say the addition of Cardiac PET strengthens the hospital’s ability to offer leading-edge heart care while reducing the need for patients to travel for specialized imaging.
“The addition of Cardiac PET represents an exciting step forward in our commitment to bringing advanced cardiac imaging and exceptional patient care closer to home,” said Mike Shields, director of radiology at Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital. “By offering this innovative technology right here in our community, we can help physicians make more informed decisions, support earlier and more accurate diagnosis of certain heart conditions and reduce the need for patients to travel to larger medical centers for specialized imaging. This investment reflects our mission to combine advanced technology with the personalized care our community deserves.”
The expansion of Cardiac PET services at Sentara enables more patients to experience advanced cardiovascular imaging with easier access and convenience. The program is expected to reduce wait times for scans from weeks to just days, improving pathways to timely diagnosis and treatment for heart disease patients throughout the communities Sentara serves.
A PET/CT combines Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Computed Tomography (CT) into a single imaging exam that requires no surgery. Together, these technologies provide physicians with both functional and anatomical information about the heart and surrounding tissues. The result is a comprehensive evaluation that supports more precise diagnosis and treatment planning.
The addition of Cardiac PET/CT means more personalized and expedited care for patients because of the exceptional diagnostic accuracy and detailed information promptly available to cardiologists. Compared to traditional Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) nuclear medicine imaging, Cardiac PET delivers higher-resolution images with fewer distortions, resulting in more confident diagnoses. The technology also uses a state-of-the-art PET radiotracer approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2025.
“We are thrilled to launch our new Cardiac PET program and expand the advanced diagnostic services available to our cardiology patients,” said Brandie Crossland, PET/CT radiology manager for Hampton Roads. “This has been a true team effort, and I am incredibly proud of the dedication and collaboration of the many Sentara team members who invested their time to bring this program to fruition.”
Cardiac PET/CT is particularly beneficial for patients who require pharmacologic stress testing because they are unable to exercise, as well as those who have inconclusive results from previous stress tests or coronary CT angiography.
The American Society of Nuclear Cardiology recognizes Cardiac PET as an important option for cardiac stress imaging because of its high diagnostic accuracy and ability to provide detailed information about blood flow to the heart. The most appropriate imaging test is determined based on a patient’s clinical needs, physician recommendations, and available resources such as insurance coverage.
The technology also provides significant advantages for patients with obesity or other factors that can reduce the quality of conventional imaging.
“By bringing Cardiac PET/CT to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, Sentara is expanding access to advanced cardiovascular imaging technology that enables earlier disease detection, greater diagnostic precision, and more personalized treatment strategies for patients throughout the region,” said Sanjay Shah, M.D., medical director of cardiac imaging. “This investment strengthens our ability to deliver exceptional heart care and improve outcomes for the communities we serve.”
Expanding access across Virginia
In addition to the new program at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, community members in the Blue Ridge regions can also access advanced cardiac imaging through a mobile Cardiac PET unit serving Sentara RMH Medical Center and Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital. The mobile-unit program allows patients to receive specialized diagnostic testing closer to where they live.“Launching our new Cardiac PET program marks an exciting step forward in expanding access to advanced diagnostic services for cardiology patients,” said Jana Miller, imaging manager and radiation safety officer at Sentara RMH Medical Center. “This milestone reflects the vision, dedication, and collaboration of an extraordinary team across Sentara, and I am incredibly proud of everyone who came together to turn that vision into reality.”
At Sentara Martha Jefferson, leaders say the addition of Cardiac PET strengthens the hospital’s ability to offer leading-edge heart care while reducing the need for patients to travel for specialized imaging.
“The addition of Cardiac PET represents an exciting step forward in our commitment to bringing advanced cardiac imaging and exceptional patient care closer to home,” said Mike Shields, director of radiology at Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital. “By offering this innovative technology right here in our community, we can help physicians make more informed decisions, support earlier and more accurate diagnosis of certain heart conditions and reduce the need for patients to travel to larger medical centers for specialized imaging. This investment reflects our mission to combine advanced technology with the personalized care our community deserves.”
The expansion of Cardiac PET services at Sentara enables more patients to experience advanced cardiovascular imaging with easier access and convenience. The program is expected to reduce wait times for scans from weeks to just days, improving pathways to timely diagnosis and treatment for heart disease patients throughout the communities Sentara serves.
By: Jen Lewis