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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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.

doctor examines patient data on their tablet

FDA sees potential in new PET imaging agent for cardiac amyloidosis

Early evidence suggests a new PET imaging agent from California-based Attralus can help evaluate all varieties of systemic cardiac amyloidosis. It has now been granted the FDA's breakthrough therapy designation. 

The American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC) is asking Congress to repeal the appropriate use software provision mandate, which physicians say is an obstacle to efficient care.

ASNC asks Congress to officially repeal the AUC mandate for advanced medical imaging

Medicare rescinded the provision in the 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, but the law remains on the books. 

How the proposed Medicare Physician Fee Schedule could impact nuclear cardiology

The American Society of Nuclear Cardiology explored some key points included in the 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule.

Emily Lau, MD, Mass General Hospital, discusses sex differences in cardiovascular presentations of women.

CVD presents differently in women than it does in men—guidelines should reflect that

Emily Lau, MD, a women's health expert with Massachusetts General Hospital, thinks major changes are needed in how we diagnose CVD in women. "Our guidelines need to be more precise and offer sex-specific recommendations," she says.

The ASNC team at the 2024 AMA meeting, Georgia Lawrence, JD, ASNC director of regulatory affairs; Suman Tandon, MD, FASNC, delegate to the AMA HOD and cardiac imager at NYU Langone; and Kathy Flood, ASNC CEO. #AMA #AMA24 #AMA2024 #AMAHOD #ASNC

ASNC supports AMA effort to limit use of AI in prior authorization decisions

The American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC) supports an AMA policy that condemns the use AI to make prior authorization decisions rather than a doctor or clinician.

medical imaging carbon emissions climate change

PET is an energy hog, but relatively rare utilization lessens its carbon footprint. MRI and CT have no such ‘out’

Medical imaging machinery uses a lot of power, and the extent to which it quickens the pace of global warming is becoming clearer.

Medicare drops AUC requirement for advanced imaging, ASNC celebrates

"This was an unneeded burden, which was solely adding to the administrative hassles of medicine," said American Society of Nuclear Cardiology President Larry Phillips.

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