VIDEO: 2 key advances in cardiac nuclear imaging technology

Over the past few years at the annual ASNC meetings, the addition of PET quantitative myocardial perfusion (QMP) flow reserve to PET exams has been a hot topic. It can enhance cardiac PET imaging helping show the severity of the ischemia detected on a PET scan. This information can help determine the what therapy is used to treat the patient. QMP can determine if revascularization will help a patient. 

CT is used to enhance nuclear imaging by offering attention correction to produce clearer images. It also offers anatomical imaging, including the ability to perform a calcium scoring scan at the same time. This enables an Agatston score to be generated, showing the patient's risk of a cardiovascular event over the next 10 years. 

Find more new on nuclear cardiology

Dave Fornell is a digital editor with Cardiovascular Business and Radiology Business magazines. He has been covering healthcare for more than 16 years.

Dave Fornell has covered healthcare for more than 17 years, with a focus in cardiology and radiology. Fornell is a 5-time winner of a Jesse H. Neal Award, the most prestigious editorial honors in the field of specialized journalism. The wins included best technical content, best use of social media and best COVID-19 coverage. Fornell was also a three-time Neal finalist for best range of work by a single author. He produces more than 100 editorial videos each year, most of them interviews with key opinion leaders in medicine. He also writes technical articles, covers key trends, conducts video hospital site visits, and is very involved with social media. E-mail: dfornell@innovatehealthcare.com

Around the web

The nuclear imaging isotope shortage of molybdenum-99 may be over now that the sidelined reactor is restarting. ASNC's president says PET and new SPECT technologies helped cardiac imaging labs better weather the storm.

CMS has more than doubled the CCTA payment rate from $175 to $357.13. The move, expected to have a significant impact on the utilization of cardiac CT, received immediate praise from imaging specialists.

The all-in-one Omni Legend PET/CT scanner is now being manufactured in a new production facility in Waukesha, Wisconsin.