title: Nuclear cardiology: 2014 innovations and developments.
abstract: Nuclear cardiac imaging is acknowledged as a robust technique for clinically assessing patients with a wide spectrum of cardiac illnesses. Recent technical, radiotracer, and stressor advancements continue to expand the role of nuclear cardiology for the accurate diagnosis and prognostication of patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease. The introduction of I-123 MIBG represents another advance for assessing risk in patients with congestive heart failure and depressed left ventricular (LV) function. Software and hardware innovations and recent shifts in acquisition protocols have greatly improved image quality, reduced cost and radiation exposure, and continue to promote patient and physician satisfaction. The following article will highlight recent achievements in the field that continue to foster a patient-centered imaging approach.
authors.affiliation: Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: John J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Mahmarian
authors.affiliation: Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: SuMin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: Faisal
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nabi
mesh_terms: D003326:Coronary Circulation; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D004867:Equipment Design; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D055414:Myocardial Perfusion Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012985:Software Design; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*
chemical_list: D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals
keywords: image acquisition; iodine I 123 mIBG; nuclear cardiology; pharmacological stressor agents; radionuclide tracers