Nuclear Cardiology

Single photon computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) molecular imaging are used as primary cardiac imaging modalities to evaluate the function of the heart. It uses radioactive isotopes attached to sugars that are metabolized by cardiomyocytes. This creates an image of the metabolic activity of the heart and shows areas of ischemia or infarct. Other radiotracers can image the heart to diagnosis cardiac amyloidosis and sarcoidosis.

Medicare drops AUC requirement for advanced imaging, ASNC celebrates
"This was an unneeded burden, which was solely adding to the administrative hassles of medicine," said American Society of Nuclear Cardiology President Larry Phillips.
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.
Mobile imaging provider to pay $85M for false claims stemming from alleged referral scheme
The alleged kickback scheme spanned nine years, with Cardiac Imaging Inc. paying physicians "excessive fees" to oversee PET scans, the DOJ said.
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.
What is the ROI for adopting AI in cardiac imaging?
Marcelo DiCarli, MD, and Rob Beanlands, MD, discussed the long-term value of investing in the development and implementation of AI technologies.

For almost nine years since the adoption of the Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA) established the requirement for appropriate use criteria (AUC) to receive payment for advanced diagnostic imaging, the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC) has lobbying Congressional leaders change or repeal AUC mandate. Those efforts have paid off in the 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule final rule, where AUC program has been paused and all of its regulations were rescinded. Photo by Dave Fornell.

Medicare drops AUC requirement for advanced imaging, ASNC celebrates

"This was an unneeded burden, which was solely adding to the administrative hassles of medicine," said American Society of Nuclear Cardiology President Larry Phillips.

April 8, 2024

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.

October 13, 2023

Mobile imaging provider to pay $85M for false claims stemming from alleged referral scheme

The alleged kickback scheme spanned nine years, with Cardiac Imaging Inc. paying physicians "excessive fees" to oversee PET scans, the DOJ said.

October 11, 2023

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.

October 10, 2023

Marcelo DiCarli, MD, chief, division of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging, executive director for the cardiovascular imaging program, Brigham and Women's Hospital, discusses how artificial intelligence (AI) is impacting cardiac imaging.

What is the ROI for adopting AI in cardiac imaging?

Marcelo DiCarli, MD, and Rob Beanlands, MD, discussed the long-term value of investing in the development and implementation of AI technologies.

May 11, 2023

VIDEO: American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC) President Mouaz Al-Mallah, MD, chair of cardiovascular PET and associate director of nuclear cardiology, Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center, and ASNC President-elect Larry Phillips, MD, director of nuclear cardiology, NYU Langone, outline the new technologies available and why upgrading cardiac nuclear labs matters and what is the ROI. #ASNC

What is the ROI for upgrading nuclear cardiology labs?

Some nuclear cardiology labs are still using SPECT systems that are 20-25 years old. Is it time to make an upgrade?

April 12, 2023

Watch the VIDEO ASNC President Mouaz Al-Mallah explains trends in nuclear cardiology. American Society of Nuclear Cardiology sees future opportunities in nuclear imaging outside of perfusion imaging. #ASNC

ASNC leaders reflect on the state of nuclear cardiology

ASNC President Mouaz Al-Mallah, MD, and ASNC President-elect Larry Phillips, MD, discussed some of the key trends in cardiac molecular imaging at ACC.23.

April 11, 2023

COVID-19 vaccine vaccination myocarditis heart damage inflammation RSNA imaging radiology cardiology

Heart inflammation remains 2 months later in some patients with COVID-19 vaccine-related myocarditis

A team of cardiologists and radiologists collaborated on the study, using advanced imaging to take a closer look at the long-term impact of vaccination.

March 9, 2023

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Medicare drops AUC requirement for advanced imaging, ASNC celebrates

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