Positron emission tomography/computed tomography is a hybrid nuclear medicine imaging technique that helps radiologists spot abnormal metabolic activity. PET/CT is commonly used to diagnose cancers, heart diseases and certain brain disorders, among other conditions.
The exam effectively helps providers manage patients’ treatment options, but for some, the costs associated with those treatments may negate the value of its findings.
Targeting CXCR4 during PET scans could help providers gain vital information regarding patients' potential to fully recover from myocardial infarction.
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 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.
“We showed that risk prediction does not depend on cardiovascular risk scores, stenosis severity or CT calcium scoring," researchers said in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine.
The American Society of Nuclear Cardiology recently met with the Louisville, Kentucky, insurer, which shared an openness to reviewing a recent coverage determination.
Multiple nuclear medicine and cardiology groups are working to oppose potential cuts to myocardial PET scans that were made possible by the CMS 2020 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) proposed rule, according to a joint statement.
When CMS released the 2020 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) proposed rule, it included revisions that could lead to technical component payment reductions of up to 80% for certain services related to myocardial PET scans.
The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) and the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC) submitted a letter to BlueCross BlueShield (BCBS) of Tennessee urging an expansion of cardiac PET coverage.