Nuclear Medicine

Nuclear medicine (also called molecular imaging) includes positron emission computed tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging. Nuclear imaging is achieved by injecting small amounts of radioactive material (radiopharmaceuticals) into patients before or during their scan. These can use sugars or chemical traits to bond to specific cells. The radioactive material is taken up by cells that consume the sugars. The radiation emitted from inside the body is detected by photon detectors outside the body. Computers take the data to assemble images of the radiation emissions. Nuclear images may appear fuzzy or ghostly rather than the sharper resolution from MRI and CT.  But, it provides metabolic information at a cellular level, showing if there are defects in the function of the heart, areas of very high metabolic activity associated with cancer cells, or areas of inflammation, data not available from other modalities. These noninvasive imaging exams are used to diagnose cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, bone disorders and other disorders. 

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Radiopharmaceutical startup raises $56M in series A financing from GE HealthCare, Mayo Clinic

Nucleus RadioPharma will use the money to establish manufacturing facilities—with one located in Rochester, Minnesota, near Mayo—and build new technology for distribution.

Robert Hendel, MD, Tulane University and former ASNC president, explains the pressing business aspects of nuclear cardiology and why ASNC included business management sessions at its 2023 annual meeting. #ASNC #ASNC23 #ASNC2023

Business considerations in the modern nuclear cardiology practice

Robert Hendel, MD, discussed everything from declining reimbursements in cardiology to prior authorization policies in an exclusive new interview. 

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CMS removes national coverage determination for beta-amyloid PET, expanding access to vital imaging exam

Eliminating the previous “coverage with evidence development” requirement allows local MACs to dictate payment for such exams. 

Timothy Bateman, MD, co-director, cardiovascular radiologic imaging program, Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute, professor of medicine at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, and an ASNC past-president, is one of the authors on the AURORA study. He spoke with Cardiovascular Business about the study and what it is like to work with flurpiridaz.

Flurpiridaz will have a major impact on cardiac PET and nuclear imaging

The new radiotracer flurpiridaz is poised to make a major impact on nuclear cardiology. Timothy Bateman, MD, co-director of the cardiovascular radiologic imaging program at Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute, shared details on the tracer in a new interview. 

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CMS grants transitional pass-through payment status for prostate cancer PET imaging agent

The federal agency typically grants this designation to allow Medicare beneficiaries broader access to new and innovative drugs. 

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123 organizations come out in support of FIND Act aimed at strengthening diagnostic imaging pay

Backers include societies representing radiologists and nuclear medicine professionals, device manufacturers, patient advocacy groups, and pharmaceutical companies. 

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ACR, others push for imaging-agent pay fix as House leaders plan hearing on topic

The House Energy and Commerce Committee announced Tuesday that it will hold a hearing to discuss the FIND Act. 

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Startup radiopharmaceutical developer Mariana Oncology raises $175M in series B financing

The company has developed a portfolio of nuclear medicine solutions including "lead candidate" MC-339, used for treating small cell lung cancer.

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Health Imaging
American College of Radiology announces significant expansion of Lung Cancer Screening Registry

The ACR hopes these changes, including the addition of diagnostic performance feedback, will help reduce the number of patients with incidental nodules lost to follow-up each year.

Health Imaging
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Health Imaging
Nearly $800,000 settlement offered to family of man who died during MRI exam

The patient, who was being cared for in the ICU, was not accompanied or monitored by nursing staff during his exam, despite being sedated.