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.

Cardiologist says new legislation would delay flawed payment cuts, preserve access to care
The efficiency adjustment cuts introduced in the 2026 MPFS are based on assumptions many doctors believe to be false. The American Society of Nuclear Cardiology and other medical societies are pushing back.
ASNC says PET is now the preferred nuclear imaging test for CAD
Which imaging modality is better for evaluating heart patients, PET or SPECT? After years of discussions and debates, the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology is now ready to point to PET as the No. 1 choice. “There are no clinical scenarios or patient subgroups where cardiac PET with myocardial blood flow should be excluded," the group wrote.
FAPI PET shows promise to make a big impact in cardiovascular imaging
More and more imaging researchers are starting to examine the potential of using fibroblast activation protein inhibitors (FAPI) to manage patients with suspected cardiovascular disease.
ASNC reports shortage of cardiac amyloidosis radiotracers
The two vendors involved say supplies of PYP and HDP could be disrupted for months.
Bayer expands into molecular imaging with cardiac amyloidosis tracer acquisitions
Bayer is acquiring two cardiac amyloidosis radiotracers from Attralus, one for PET and one for SPECT. The SPECT tracer is also a theranostic agent to both image and treat amyloidosis.

Friederike Keating, MD, director, nuclear cardiology, at University of Vermont Health, and chair of American Society of nuclear Cardiology (ASNC) Health Policy Committee, explains the support behind House Bill 7520 that aims to halt the Medicare's 2.5% efficiency adjustment cut to physician payments that was included in the 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.

Cardiologist says new legislation would delay flawed payment cuts, preserve access to care

The efficiency adjustment cuts introduced in the 2026 MPFS are based on assumptions many doctors believe to be false. The American Society of Nuclear Cardiology and other medical societies are pushing back.

Imagers reviewing flurpiridaz F-18 (Flyrcado) myocardial perfusion PET images. Image from GE Healthcare

ASNC says PET is now the preferred nuclear imaging test for CAD

Which imaging modality is better for evaluating heart patients, PET or SPECT? After years of discussions and debates, the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology is now ready to point to PET as the No. 1 choice. “There are no clinical scenarios or patient subgroups where cardiac PET with myocardial blood flow should be excluded," the group wrote.

SNMMI Image of the Year 68Ga-FAPI-46 PET/CT heart attack acute myocardial infarction

FAPI PET shows promise to make a big impact in cardiovascular imaging

More and more imaging researchers are starting to examine the potential of using fibroblast activation protein inhibitors (FAPI) to manage patients with suspected cardiovascular disease.

ASNC reports shortage of cardiac amyloidosis radiotracers

The two vendors involved say supplies of PYP and HDP could be disrupted for months.

PET-CT imaging of 124-I evuzamitide and SPECT-CT imaging of 99mTc-p5+14 showed radiotracer uptake in both AL and ATTR amyloid throughout the myocardium. Emily B. Martin, Anne Kassira, Alan Stuckey, et al. A tale of two tracers - Amyloid imaging with investigational radiotracers iodine (124I) evuzamitide and 99mTc-p5+14 (AT-05). https://www.journalofnuclearcardiology.org/article/S1071-3581(25)00325-3/abstract.

Bayer expands into molecular imaging with cardiac amyloidosis tracer acquisitions

Bayer is acquiring two cardiac amyloidosis radiotracers from Attralus, one for PET and one for SPECT. The SPECT tracer is also a theranostic agent to both image and treat amyloidosis.

Lantheus completes sale of SPECT business

Lantheus has signaled that the decision to sell its SPECT business will allow the company to focus more on growing its portfolio of PET radiodiagnostics and microbubbles.

Positron NeuSight PET-CT 64 slice scanner

Positron raises $2M to expand PET-CT commercialization

The New York-based imaging company is now focused on expanding sales for the cost-effective PET-CT system it developed with Neusoft Medical Systems.

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.

Largest network of private cardiology groups in US to deploy GE HealthCare's cardiac PET tracer

One of the tracer’s more significant advantages is its extended half-life of 109 minutes—significantly longer than other currently available PET MPI imaging agents.