Siemens Healthineers and Cardiomed are paving the way for advanced medical imaging in Romania.

In a historic moment for the healthcare field in Romania, Siemens Healthineers, a global leader in medical technology, and Cardiomed, one of the country's leading healthcare service providers, announce the inauguration of the first NAEOTOM Alpha in Romania on June 22, 2023, at Cardiomed Mureș. This achievement marks a new milestone in the development of advanced medical imaging and puts Romania on the map of state-of-the-art medical technology. Cardiomed's investment in this technology amounts to 19 million euros.

The inauguration of the first NAEOTOM Alpha in Romania took place during the CardioNET Congress held from June 21st to June 23rd at the Teleki Conference Center in Dumbrăvioara, Mureș County. Celebrating its 23rd edition, the congress is a traditional event of the medical community in the region with broad international participation.

The inauguration of NAEOTOM Alpha is the result of a close collaboration between Siemens Healthineers and Cardiomed, who have invested considerable resources in developing the infrastructure and training specialized medical personnel in the use of this state-of-the-art equipment. As a result, Romania now aligns itself with countries in Europe and worldwide that benefit from cutting-edge technology in the field of medical imaging.

"The commissioning of a Siemens photon-counting device for the Cardiomed team is a great pride and, at the same time, the fulfilment of a commitment we made 35 years ago regarding professionalism and research for the benefit of patients. I would like to thank the team I have been working with for many years to introduce everything that is new and innovative worldwide, precisely to ensure that Romanian citizens receive medical care according to European standards in terms of modern healthcare. We are grateful and proud to have the opportunity to be the first owners of this device in Romania, present in the first private unit”, says Prof. Dr. Benedek Imre, coordinator of Cardiomed Clinic.

NAEOTOM Alpha is a revolutionary computerized tomography (CT) imaging system developed by Siemens Healthineers, offering unprecedented resolution and clarity in medical diagnosis. It combines advanced CT technology with artificial intelligence and innovative functionalities, allowing doctors to obtain detailed and precise images of anatomical structures and identify conditions even at the cellular level.

"The inauguration of the first NAEOTOM Alpha in Romania marks a significant milestone in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular conditions. This advanced technology provides us with a clear and detailed perspective on the structure and functioning of the heart, enabling us to obtain crucial information for making precise and individualized therapeutic decisions. The exceptional resolution and clarity of the images obtained with the help of NAEOTOM Alpha allow us to identify cardiovascular conditions in early stages and thoroughly assess existing lesions. This means that we can intervene earlier and provide personalized treatments, with a significant impact on the survival and quality of life of our patients", says Florin Preoteasa, Regional Business Development Manager at Siemens Healthineers.

The benefits brought by NAEOTOM Alpha are particularly relevant in the diagnosis of cardiovascular conditions, providing crucial information to physicians in evaluating the anatomy and functionality of the heart. Its ability to obtain high-quality images in a short time allows doctors to make quick and precise treatment decisions, thereby increasing the chances of survival and recovery.

The greatest challenge in computed tomography (CT) was, until recently, spatial resolution, which refers to the ability to identify the smallest detectable structure while differentiating it from adjacent structures that have similar characteristics. Photon-counting technology represents a significant evolution from the scintillation detector of conventional CT, which converts light into a signal, to the QuantaMax detector that counts each photon, identifies the energy of each particle, and directly converts it into a signal. This achieves the highest resolution with the lowest possible radiation dose and minimal acquisition time. The resolution of 0.2 mm achieved by NAEOTOM Alpha (compared to the 0.4-0.6 mm resolution of regular CT scans, which involve exposing the patient to a higher radiation dose) represents a significant advancement and is currently limited only by the computational power. Over time, the equipment has the potential to push the boundaries of CT imaging beyond what was previously imaginable. This opens up areas of research and diagnostics that are currently beyond imagination.

Through this inauguration, Siemens Healthineers and Cardiomed demonstrate their commitment to bringing the most advanced medical technologies to Romania and contributing to the development of the country's healthcare system. The investment in NAEOTOM Alpha is evidence of their trust in the Romanian medical potential and Cardiomed's ability to meet the highest international standards.

”As a professor of Cardiology with extensive experience, I am pleased to have access to a technology whose performance and ability to obtain medical imaging information are superior to others of its kind. Without the help of the Siemens team, who supported us greatly in navigating bureaucracy to enable us to use the equipment as quickly as possible, we would not have succeeded. This achievement is exceptional in every way. Our long-standing and extensive collaboration with Siemens in the field of medical equipment has helped us become at the forefront of cardiology in Romania and, why not, at a European level”, concludes Prof. Dr. Benedek Imre.

"The inauguration of this NAEOTOM Alpha is a clear testament to our commitment to being a trusted partner for the healthcare system in Romania. We are dedicated to bringing the most advanced medical technologies to the country and contributing to the improvement of patient treatment quality and healthcare professionals. The inauguration of the first NAEOTOM Alpha is the result of a close collaboration between Siemens Healthineers and Cardiomed, demonstrating Cardiomed's dedication to improving population health. This synergy between medical experts and technological developers helps us bring the most advanced solutions for the benefit of patients in Romania", says Dan Dragonici, Account Manager at Siemens Healthineers.

Thus, the inauguration of the first NAEOTOM Alpha in Romania marks a landmark moment in the country's medical imaging field and opens up new perspectives in the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. This achievement is the result of fruitful collaboration between Siemens Healthineers and Cardiomed and represents a significant investment in the health of Romanians.

--- This is a press release.