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. 

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The American Society fo Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC) did not support the 2021 Chest Pain Guidelines because of the high support for cardiac CT and FFR-CT.

VIDEO: Why the ASNC did not support the 2021 Chest Pain Evaluation Guidelines

Randall Thompson, MD, immediate past president of the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology, said the group had issues with the document's elevation of cardiac CT and FFR-CT. 

Advnaces in nuclear cardiac imaging include the use of PET, quantitative coronary flow reserve and the additional CT ro SPECT and PERT scans. #ASNC

VIDEO: 2 key advances in cardiac nuclear imaging technology

Randall Thompson, MD, immediate past president of the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC), explains two key advances in cardiac nuclear imaging.
 

A comparison on the black hole at the center of the Milky Way galaxy (left) with PET cardiac myocardial perfusion nuclear imaging exams (right).  The cardiac diagnosis of the galactic heart is motion artifact. Black hole image from the EHT Collaboration

Cardiologist and ASNC president diagnoses the heart of the galaxy based on black hole imaging

The first image of the black hole at the heart of our Milky Way galaxy amazed the scientific community, but left cardiologists with questions about the true cardiac health of the galaxy.

A figure from the 2022 CAD non-invasive imaging guidelines showing a comparison of computed tomography angiography (CTA) and a SPECT-CT vs. an invasive angiogram from the cath lab showing the same blockage in a coronary artery.

New multi-society recommendations highlight role of non-invasive imaging in evaluating coronary artery disease

A new, multi-society document, "Non-Invasive Imaging in Coronary Syndromes," focuses on how multiple imaging techniques can evaluate different aspects of coronary artery disease (CAD), all without the need for invasive angiograms.

The ASNC is one of several medical imaging societies asking Congress to repeal the appropriate use criteria (AUC) criteria mandate. They say it poses issues for clinicians and is becoming outdated by changes in CMS payment systems. The AUC requirements call for documentation using CVMS authorized software in order to show advanced imaging such as nuclear and CT is justified, or else Medicare payments might be withheld.

American Society of Nuclear Cardiology urges Congress to speed prior authorizations, repeal AUC mandate 

Over the past few weeks, members of ASNC’s Health Policy Committee have held meetings with their members of Congress.

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Isotope shortage update: Target restart date for downed reactor has been set

The supply of Mo-99 and Lu-177 is expected to normalize in the coming weeks, according to the most recent announcement from the Nuclear Medicine Europe Emergency Response Team.

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University's research reactor increases medical isotope production in wake of supply disruption

“Our dedicated staff are committed to getting lifesaving treatments delivered to the patients who need them,” MURR's executive director said in a statement on Feb. 9.

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Isotope update: Target date for resuming production of Mo-99 still unclear

Production of Lu-177 is expected to resume on Saturday, Feb. 12, but the Mo-99 supply shortage could continue for weeks.

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