EANM Technologists’ Guide

Myocardial Perfusion Imaging (2014)

October 2014

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the developed world, and their frequency is also increasing in less developed countries [1]. A reliable and rapid diagnosis is important to reduce the number of deaths and allow the introduction of appropriate therapy at a very early stage of the disease.

Given that the last EANM Technologist’s Guide, entitled Myocardial Perfusion Imaging, was released way back in 2004, it is certainly time for this new book. During the intervening period, Nuclear Medicine Cardiology has made great progress, with the development of new radiopharmaceuticals for myocardial perfusion imaging and the introduction of new imaging equipment with new postprocessing programmes. This book provides the reader with information on the current state of the art in myocardial imaging in Nuclear Medicine. It opens by introducing all the myocardial imaging methods, including those beyond Nuclear Medicine. The common clinical indications for myocardial perfusion scintigraphy are then discussed, followed by guidance on patient preparation and the different types of stress protocol and a presentation of the main advantages and disadvantages of the multidisciplinary approach and advanced practice. Advances in radiopharmaceuticals for myocardial perfusion imaging are then introduced. The following three chapters are more technically oriented, enabling the reader to learn about the different SPECT, SPECT/CT, D-SPECT and PET/CT protocols and the imaging equipment, with image processing and software. The final chapter elucidates the causes and effects of potential artefacts and pitfalls in myocardial perfusion imaging. I would like to thank all the authors who have taken the time to write the chapters and all of my fellow editors who have helped to create this book. I hope all professionals who work in the area of Nuclear Medicine Cardiology or are interested in this topic will enjoy reading and using the book.

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