Editor: Shinro Matsuo

Series Title: Frontiers in Myocardia

Clinical Nuclear Cardiology: Practical Applications and Future Directions

Volume 2

eBook: US $129 Special Offer (PDF + Printed Copy): US $236
Printed Copy: US $171
Library License: US $516
ISSN: 2451-8344 (Print)
ISSN: 2451-8352 (Online)
ISBN: 978-1-68108-761-0 (Print)
ISBN: 978-1-68108-760-3 (Online)
Year of Publication: 2018
DOI: 10.2174/97816810876031180201

Introduction

Nuclear cardiology is critical for the medical evaluation of patients with heart disease. Clinical Nuclear Cardiology: Practical Applications and Future Directions is the second volume of this series. The volume provides information about the clinical application of imaging techniques (such as SPECT and PET) in clinical practice with the goal of guiding health care professionals to make informed decisions for identifying cardiac risk in patients with heart disease.

The information in the book covers four broad aspects of nuclear cardiology:

  • - Myocardial Perfusion Scintigraphy
  • - Fatty Acid Imaging
  • - Neurotransmission imaging
  • - Molecular Imaging and Preventive Medicine

Readers will be equipped with information necessary for understanding the diagnosis and management of a variety of cardiomyopathies through various imaging technologies. This volume is a comprehensive reference for cardiologists and medical imaging technicians involved in clinical settings as well as medical students who require an understanding of the cardiovascular aspects of nuclear medicine.

Preface

Nuclear cardiology has demonstrated continuous growth for over 35 years, and now become important tool for evaluation of patients with heart disease. A nuclear cardiology test is one of the most commonly performed non-invasive cardiac imaging tests in hospitals for the patients with heart disease as well as echocardiography.

This book is composed of four parts by leading physicians and scientists in the field. The first part describes the perfusion scintigraphy. Myocardial perfusion imaging is an established method for the primary detection of coronary artery disease. Gated myocardial perfusion single-photon computed tomography (SPECT) is essential for the diagnosis of cardiac function. The addition of ECG-gating has allowed nuclear cardiology to expand from myocardial perfusion alone to the assessment of systolic and diastolic function.

The second part provides metabolic aspects of heart disease, including fatty acid metabolism. The heart is an active organ that requires high oxygen to maintain mechanical function. The major aim of oxygen uptake in the heart is to provide sufficient energy in the mitochondria in the myocardium. Glucose and free fatty acids are major energy sources in the myocardium. Recent advances in nuclear cardiology include fatty acid metabolic tracer of iodine-123-labeled BMIPP. I-123 BMIPP provides useful information in patients with heart disease.

The third part covers cardiac sympathetic function, including sympathetic nerve imaging. 123I-MIBG scintigraphy is now used as an important technique for studying cardiac neuronal function. 123I-MIBG shares the same uptake and storage mechanisms as norepinephrine. It is reported that the uptake-1 system is mediated by the norepinephrine transporter, and the uptake-2 system is an extra-neuronal system. 123I-MIBG imaging has an important prognostic value in patients with heart failure.

The fourth and the final part describes small animal molecular imaging, preventive medicine and Takotsubo syndrome.

Nuclear cardiology tests, including neurotransmitter imaging and metabolic imaging, are now easily preformed with new tracers to refine the diagnosis of heart disease. Nuclear cardiology studies contribute significantly to guiding management decisions for identifying cardiac risk in patients with heart disease.


Shinro Matsuo
Department of Nuclear Medicine,
Kanazawa University
Graduate School of Advanced Preventive Medical Sciences
Kanazawa, Japan

RELATED BOOKS

.Advancements in Cardiovascular Research and Therapeutics: Molecular and Nutraceutical Perspectives.
.Blood Oxidant Ties: The Evolving Concepts in Myocardial Injury and Cardiovascular Disease.
.Cardiac Care and COVID-19: Perspectives in Medical Practice.
.Nanomedicinal Approaches Towards Cardiovascular Disease.