Nuclear cardiology: an overview of radioisotope techniques used in the diagnosis of cardiovascular disorders.

Nuclear cardiology: an overview of radioisotope techniques used in the diagnosis of cardiovascular disorders. Kardiol Pol. 2020 May 28;: Authors: Cegła P, Ciepłucha A, Pachowicz M, Chrapko B, Piotrowski T, Lesiak M Abstract Cardiovascular diseases are the most common cause of death in patients over 60 years old. Imaging methods of a pivotal role in cardiological diagnostic processes are echocardiography, magnetic resonance, multi-row-detector computed tomography, coronary angiography, and radioisotope tests. In this paper, we summarize the techniques of nuclear medicine (positron emission tomography, single-photon emission computed tomography, radionuclide ventriculography) that could be implemented in the cardiovascular diagnostic algorithms. Despite being acknowledged and positioned in a few cardiological guidelines, these imaging methods are still underestimated by practitioners. Nevertheless, noninvasive diagnostic tools are of increasing potential and should be implemented whenever possible. We discuss the usefulness of particular techniques in the management of patients with obstructive and non-obstructive coronary artery disease, including assessment of myocardial perfusion, contractility, viability, and detection of unstable atherosclerotic plaques. Radioisotope imaging can also be valuable in the diagnosis of infective endocarditis, as well as cardiac sarcoidosis and amyloidosis. Apart from presenting the theoretical princ...
Source: Polish Heart Journal - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: Kardiol Pol Source Type: research