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. 

3 industry partnerships, 1 clinical aim: Enriching the global supply chain of medical isotopes

Nuclear medicine operations may soon enjoy steadier flows of certain in-demand radioisotopes. If so, much credit will go to companies that had the strategic sense to collaborate with each other. 

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

FDA-cleared software increases throughput for flurpiridaz back-to-back rest-stress imaging

The new F-18 flurpiridaz radiotracer is expected to help drive cardiac PET growth, but it requires waiting between rest and stress scans. Software from MultiFunctional Imaging can help care teams combat that problem.

Part of the ASNC delegation that visited with congressional members to to explain policy and payment challenges that face. Members of ASNC's Health Policy Committee from left: Daniel Huck, MD, MPH, David E. Winchester, MD, MS, FASNC, Suman Tandon, MD, FASNC, Vikas Veeranna, MD, Friederike Keating, MD, FASNC, and Attila Feher, MD, PhD.

ASNC speaks to members of Congress about major trends in cardiology

The American Society of Nuclear Cardiology made its voice heard, pushing for legislation to repeal Medicare payment cuts and tie payments to inflationary increases. Prior authorization and a proposed tariff on radioisotopes were also discussed.

ASNC, ACC ask US government not to tariff radiopharmaceuticals

The two groups stressed that tariffs would likely impact patient care.

Tariffs will have a significant impact on the nuclear imaging supply chain in the US

"Domestic radiopharmaceutical suppliers, who receive isotopes from abroad, would be impacted by price changes and uncertainty caused by additional tariffs,” SNMMI President Cathy Cutler, PhD, wrote in a letter to the U.S. Department of Commerce this week.

Most popular radiology video interviews on Health Imaging. The evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) in breast imaging was a big topic at the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) 2024 meeting. Health Imaging spoke with Manisha Bahl, MD, breast imaging division quality director and breast imaging division co-service chief at Massachusetts General Hospital and an associate professor of radiology, Harvard Medical School, at the conference to hear more about her breast AI sessions.

Most popular radiology video interviews on Health Imaging

Radiology has seen a lot of large language model and generative AI research and adoption and it is clearly a hot button topic with our No. 1 video.

The rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has helped cardiologists, radiologists, nurses and other healthcare providers embrace precision medicine in a way that ensures more heart patients are receiving personalized care.

The revolution is here: AI’s growing role in cardiovascular imaging, interventional cardiology

AI has already made a massive impact on healthcare, especially in the fields of cardiology and radiology. With the FDA clearing more and more algorithms, this trend is only expected to grow as time goes on.

HeartSee 4.0 Bracco Diagnostics

Bracco updates HeartSee coronary flow capacity software with new diagnostic features

Clinicians have been using HeartSee to diagnose and treat coronary artery disease since the technology first debuted back in 2018. These latest updates, set to roll out to existing users, are designed to improve diagnostic performance and user access.