American Society of Nuclear Cardiology quality metrics for cardiac amyloid radionuclide imaging.

This document from the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology develops metrics for the assessment of quality for laboratories that perform cardiac amyloid radionuclide imaging. These metrics are based on clinical guidelines, appropriate use criteria, information and position statements, and expert opinion. The document introduces 15 quality metrics that address current gaps in care organized around 4 axes: A) Appropriate indications; B) Patient experience and workflow; C) Instrumentation and protocols; and D) Interpretation and reporting.

Diagnostic Feasibility and Accuracy of Cardiac Positron Emission Tomography (PET) in the Evaluation of Ischemic Heart Disease.

Cardiac Positron Emission Tomography (PET) can be used for the assessment of myocardial perfusion. Compared to other cardiac imaging techniques, notably Single Photon Emission Computer Tomography (SPECT), cardiac PET offers superior image resolution, higher accuracy, quantitative measures of myocardial perfusion, lower radiation exposure, and shorter image acquisition time. However, PET tends to be costlier and less widely available than SPECT due to the specialized equipment needed for generating the necessary radiotracers.

Advances in Coronary CT Angiography: Applications and Implications for Coronary Artery Disease.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, necessitating advancements in diagnostic techniques. Coronary CT angiography (CCTA) has emerged as a pivotal non-invasive tool for evaluating coronary artery anatomy and detecting atherosclerotic plaque burden with high spatial resolution. This review explores the evolution of CCTA, highlighting its technological advancements, clinical applications, and challenges.

Which Test is Best for Pain in the Chest?

Chest pain is one of the most common chief complaints seen in both the emergency department (ED) and primary care settings.1,2 It is estimated that 20-40% of the general population will suffer from chest pain at some point throughout their lives.3 Interestingly although obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) prevalence has declined, chest pain as a presenting symptom has become increasingly common over the last decade.

Multimodal Imaging for the Diagnosis of Isolated Cardiac Sarcoidosis.

We report a case of isolated cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) diagnosed using a multimodality imaging approach. A patient presented after an out-of-hospital, ventricular fibrillation-mediated cardiac arrest. The use of echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance, and fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography enabled the diagnosis of isolated CS.

Contemporary Cardiac SPECT Imaging-Innovations and Best Practices: An Information Statement from the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology.

This information statement from the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology highlights advances in cardiac SPECT imaging and supports the incorporation of new technology and techniques in laboratories performing nuclear cardiology procedures. The document focuses on the application of the latest imaging protocols and the utilization of newer hardware and software options to perform high quality, state-of-the-art SPECT nuclear cardiology procedures. Recommendations for best practices of cardiac SPECT imaging are discussed, highlighting what imaging laboratories should be doing as the standard of care in 2018 to achieve optimal results (based on the ASNC 2018 SPECT guideline [Dorbala et al.

Radiation Safety in Children With Congenital and Acquired Heart Disease: A Scientific Position Statement on Multimodality Dose Optimization From the Image Gently Alliance.

There is a need for consensus recommendations for ionizing radiation dose optimization during multimodality medical imaging in children with congenital and acquired heart disease (CAHD). These children often have complex diseases and may be exposed to a relatively high cumulative burden of ionizing radiation from medical imaging procedures, including cardiac computed tomography, nuclear cardiology studies, and fluoroscopically guided diagnostic and interventional catheterization and electrophysiology procedures. Although these imaging procedures are all essential to the care of children with CAHD and have contributed to meaningfully improved outcomes in these patients, exposure to ionizing radiation is associated with potential risks, including an increased lifetime attributable risk of cancer.

Stress-only or stress/rest myocardial perfusion imaging in patients undergoing evaluation for bariatric surgery.

Background: Bariatric surgery for management of obesity is being used with increasing frequency. Stress testing with myocardial perfusion imaging is often employed as part of the workup prior to anticipated bariatric surgery. The incidence of clinically significant abnormalities on stress MPI performed for this indication, however, has not been established.