Nuclear Cardiology

Single photon computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) molecular imaging are used as primary cardiac imaging modalities to evaluate the function of the heart. It uses radioactive isotopes attached to sugars that are metabolized by cardiomyocytes. This creates an image of the metabolic activity of the heart and shows areas of ischemia or infarct. Other radiotracers can image the heart to diagnosis cardiac amyloidosis and sarcoidosis. 

Video of Jamshid Maddahi, MD, UCLA, explaining why flurpiridaz will change cardiac imaging and increase the adoption of PET cardiac imaging.

A closer look at how FDA's flurpiridaz approval will impact nuclear cardiology

The newly approved PET radiotracer is expected to improve patient care significantly. “We have been able to reach the pinnacle of myocardial perfusion imaging with flurpiridaz," one expert said.

AURORA trial results for Flurpiridaz F-18 PET vs. SPECT discussed by principal investigator Jamshid Maddahi, MD.

'This could be a paradigm shift': How PET with newly approved flurpiridaz compares to SPECT

GE HealthCare's flurpiridaz, the PET radiotracer that recently received FDA approval, offers several key benefits over SPECT. Jamshid Maddahi, MD, discussed the details in an exclusive interview. 

The new cardiac PET radiotracer flurpiridaz F-18 is posed to be a major game changer and will likely lead to increased adoption of cardiac PET.

FDA approves GE HealthCare's flurpiridaz F-18 PET radiotracer for CAD

The newly approved radiotracer is seen as a major step forward for nuclear imaging technology. Specialists have been looking forward to its arrival on the market for quite some time.

Erin R. Stevens, CNMT, NCT, director of nuclear medicine at Oregon Heart Center, said training physicians for what is needed in cardiac PET documentation is key for preventing issues with prior authorizations. ASNC photo

Good documentation is the key to cardiac PET prior authorizations

Knowing what, exactly, is needed in cardiac PET documentation is one of the best ways to limit prior authorization issues.

PHOTO GALLERY: ASNC2024, the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology's annual meeting

The three-day event attracted nuclear cardiology specialists from all over the world.

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.

 

Ron Blankstein, MD, FACC, FASNC, MSCCT, FASPC, associate director, cardiovascular imaging program, director, cardiac computed tomography, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and a professor of medicine and radiology, Harvard Medical School, explains a few of the recent advancements in cardiac MRI, nuclear imaging and computed tomography.

Exploring major breakthroughs in cardiac imaging

Ron Blankstein, MD, director of cardiac computed tomography for Brigham and Women’s Hospital, details recent developments in cardiac MRI, nuclear imaging and CT.

Around the web

Ron Blankstein, MD, professor of radiology, Harvard Medical School, explains the use of artificial intelligence to detect heart disease in non-cardiac CT exams.

 

Eleven medical societies have signed on to a consensus statement aimed at standardizing imaging for suspected cardiovascular infections.

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