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.

Nuclear cardiology expands beyond perfusion imaging as it enters a new era
Beyond amyloidosis, nuclear cardiology is also increasingly used to image inflammation and infection in the myocardium, especially in diseases such as cardiac sarcoidosis and myocarditis.
PET holds promise for carotid plaque assessments
PET has already gained significant momentum in recent years. Now, researchers are pointing to another possible use for the popular imaging modality: assessing carotid artery atherosclerosis.
How PET is transforming cardiac nuclear imaging
"PET has changed the practice of nuclear medicine in general and I think it is going to revitalize the practice of cardiology," Marcelo Di Carli, MD, told Cardiovascular Business. He noted that more practices seem interested in implementing PET than ever before.
Incoming ASNC president making AI's integration into nuclear cardiology a top priority
Jamieson M. Bourque, MD, MHS, previewed his plans for the future in a new interview with Cardiovascular Business.
Nuclear imaging groups share new flurpiridaz guideline
Several groups collaborated on the document, which is designed to help clinicians provide high-quality, consistent care when using flurpiridaz during cardiac PET imaging exams.

Nuclear cardiology is entering a new era—one that goes well beyond the traditional focus on myocardial perfusion imaging. According to Marcelo Di Carli, MD, editor-in-chief of the Journal of Nuclear Cardiology and chief of the Division of Nuclear Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, the field is rapidly expanding into diagnosing and monitoring complex cardiac diseases such as amyloidosis, sarcoidosis, myocarditis, and cardiac infections.

Nuclear cardiology expands beyond perfusion imaging as it enters a new era

Beyond amyloidosis, nuclear cardiology is also increasingly used to image inflammation and infection in the myocardium, especially in diseases such as cardiac sarcoidosis and myocarditis.

Positron emission tomography (PET) nuclear imaging has seen rapid expansion in cardiology and oncology due to its improve accuracy over SPECT and its ability to expand into new areas of cardiovascular imaging. A new review in the American Heart Association journal Stroke outlines another possible use of PET to assess carotid artery atherosclerosis for stroke prevention. Figure courtesy Stroke, https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/STROKEAHA.125.050399

PET holds promise for carotid plaque assessments

PET has already gained significant momentum in recent years. Now, researchers are pointing to another possible use for the popular imaging modality: assessing carotid artery atherosclerosis.

Marcelo Di Carli, MD, editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Nuclear Cardiology, chief, Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, and executive director, Cardiovascular Imaging Program, at Brigham and Women's Hospital, explains why there is rapid growth of PET imaging because of the extra value it brings in detecting microvascular disease.

How PET is transforming cardiac nuclear imaging

"PET has changed the practice of nuclear medicine in general and I think it is going to revitalize the practice of cardiology," Marcelo Di Carli, MD, told Cardiovascular Business. He noted that more practices seem interested in implementing PET than ever before.

American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC) President-elect Jamieson M. Bourque, MD, MHS, FASNC, medical director of nuclear cardiology, echocardiography, and the stress laboratory at UVA Health in Charlottesville, and a professor of medicine and radiology at the University of Virginia, explains key trends and his plans to advance nuclear cardiology in 2026. #ASNC

Incoming ASNC president making AI's integration into nuclear cardiology a top priority

Jamieson M. Bourque, MD, MHS, previewed his plans for the future in a new interview with Cardiovascular Business.

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

Nuclear imaging groups share new flurpiridaz guideline

Several groups collaborated on the document, which is designed to help clinicians provide high-quality, consistent care when using flurpiridaz during cardiac PET imaging exams.

Wael Jaber, MD, chair of the 2025 American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC) annual meeting, director of nuclear cardiology and a professor of medicine at Cleveland Clinic, spoke at a session on the role of cardiac imagers on the heart team. #ASNC

Multimodality imagers play a critical role in modern heart teams

Heart teams continue to play a major role at hospitals and health systems all over the world. Cardiac imagers who have trained in multiple modalities can provide those teams with a significant amount of value.

Video interview with Wael Jaber, MD, chair of the 2025 American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC) annual meeting, director of nuclear cardiology and a professor of medicine at Cleveland Clinic, shares some of the key highlights from the conference.

Key trends in nuclear cardiology take center stage at ASNC 2025

Wael Jaber, MD, chair of the 2025 American Society of Nuclear Cardiology annual meeting, shared some key takeaways from the conference. “This is no longer just about imaging for coronary disease," he explained. "Nuclear cardiology now helps guide therapy across a wide range of conditions."

ASNC calls on members to fight 57% Medicare cut for cardiac amyloid imaging

Jamieson M. Bourque, MD, MHS, president-elect of the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology, shared the group's concerns with Cardiovascular Business. “This is going to have a highly negative impact," he said.