Cardiac SPECT

Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is a nuclear imaging modality that uses injected radiotracers to image heart cell metabolism to show functional information on the heart. Cardiac SPECT is used for myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) and represents the vast majority of nuclear cardiologic imaging exams each year. It is used to determine if a patient has ischemia or an infarct and if revascularization of the coronary arteries will help the patient experiencing chest pain or a heart attack. The FDA has approved four radiotracers for MPI, including thallium-201, 99mTc-Sestamibi, 99mTc-Tetrofosmin, and 99mTc-Teboroxime.

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Global shortage of nuclear imaging isotopes may be over

The nuclear imaging isotope shortage of molybdenum-99 may be over now that the sidelined reactor is restarting. ASNC's president says PET and new SPECT technologies helped cardiac imaging labs better weather the storm.

Cardiac PET on the rise among U.S. cardiologists

SPECT is still the most common modality used to evaluate CAD patients, but cardiac PET is gaining more and more momentum.

Numerous advances in cardiac nuclear imaging led American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC) President-elect Panithaya Chareonthaitawee, MD, to predict "We are on the edge of a new journey in nuclear cardiology, and the opportunities before us are just as vast as they are exciting and promising."

ASNC president-elect predicts unprecedented innovation in nuclear cardiology

"We are on the edge of a new journey in nuclear cardiology," explained ASNC President-elect Panithaya Chareonthaitawee, MD.

 

Video interview with Tim Bateman, MD, co-director, cardiovascular radiologic imaging program, Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute and an American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC) past-president, explaining the role of SPECT into the future as PET becomes more popular. A new look at PET vs SPECT.

SPECT still has an important role to play in nuclear cardiology

"I see, at least for the next decade, this being a SPECT and PET world, not one or the other," explained Tim Bateman, MD.

doctor in handcuffs after being arrested

Cardiologist to pay $6.5M after trading kickbacks for imaging referrals in complex fraud scheme

In addition to the hefty fine, the New York physician has agreed to relinquish ownership of his cardiology practice after exchanging kickbacks for PET and SPECT referrals for more than a decade.

To hear about key trends in cardiac imaging, Cardiovascular Business spoke with two experts in cardiac imaging at American College of Cardiology (ACC) 2023 meeting, Marcelo DiCarli, MD, chief, division of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging, executive director for the cardiovascular imaging program, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and Rob Beanlands, MD, is director of the National Cardiac PET Centre at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Canada.

What's new in cardiac imaging? 2 experts discuss the latest trends

Marcelo DiCarli, MD, and Rob Beanlands, MD, shared their thoughts on the current state of cardiac imaging at ACC.23. 

VIDEO: American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC) President Mouaz Al-Mallah, MD, chair of cardiovascular PET and associate director of nuclear cardiology, Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center, and ASNC President-elect Larry Phillips, MD, director of nuclear cardiology, NYU Langone, outline the new technologies available and why upgrading cardiac nuclear labs matters and what is the ROI. #ASNC

What is the ROI for upgrading nuclear cardiology labs?

Some nuclear cardiology labs are still using SPECT systems that are 20-25 years old. Is it time to make an upgrade? 

Watch the VIDEO ASNC President Mouaz Al-Mallah explains trends in nuclear cardiology. American Society of Nuclear Cardiology sees future opportunities in nuclear imaging outside of perfusion imaging. #ASNC

ASNC leaders reflect on the state of nuclear cardiology

ASNC President Mouaz Al-Mallah, MD, and ASNC President-elect Larry Phillips, MD, discussed some of the key trends in cardiac molecular imaging at ACC.23. 

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