Advanced cardiac PET imaging enhances heart care at Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital has expanded its advanced cardiac imaging capabilities with the addition of a cardiac positron emission tomography (PET) scanner, bringing highly accurate, efficient heart diagnostics closer to home for patients in the community.

Installed in October, the state-of-the-art technology is already enhancing patient care by delivering faster exams, lower radiation exposure and more precise results — strengthening the hospital’s comprehensive cardiovascular program and improving the overall patient experience.

The scanner is also a hybrid machine, which means patients don't only get a stress test but simultaneously undergo a computed tomography (CT) scan along with it, significantly improving diagnostic accuracy.

“This technology in a community setting is very beneficial because it eliminates the need for patients to travel far from home for the same scan,” Dr. Kanval Shah, cardiologist at Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital said. “It provides a much more accurate, faster and safer test, which allows us to give patients the care they need right in their neighborhood.”

For one patient, this new technology spared him from a fatal heart attack. When Raymond Waters met with the cardiology team at Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital, he anticipated undergoing the traditional stress test. Forty years after his last stress test, Waters was surprised by how much cardiac diagnostics had evolved.

“I was shocked,” Waters said. “The last time I had a stress test, I was on a treadmill. This time, they hooked me up to a machine, gave me an IV, and suddenly they said, ‘You’re done.”

The cardiac PET scan identified a subtle defect, and the CT portion of the scan also showed significant cholesterol buildup.

“Using all that information from one scan significantly increases our precision and accuracy in terms of detecting something that could become a problem,” Shah said.

Waters was scheduled for coronary artery bypass graft surgery within days, and what surprised him most was the recovery experience.

“I was anticipating a lot of pain and stress,” Waters said. “Honestly, it was easier than a knee replacement – and I’ve had four of those. The whole experience, from diagnosis to surgery, was incredible.”

Just over a month out from his procedure, Waters has already begun cardiac rehabilitation, attending sessions three times a week and steadily regaining strength. His story underscores the rapid evolution of cardiovascular imaging and lifesaving impact of early detection and coordinated cardiac care.

Cardiac PET scans are now recognized in the American College of Cardiology guidelines and is covered by most insurances with valid indication for the scan. Learn more about advanced cardiology care at Houston Methodist online or call 936.323.8413 to schedule an appointment.