Cardiac PET

Cardiac PET (or cardiac positron emission tomography) is a form of diagnostic imaging in which the presence of heart disease is evaluated using a PET scanner. Intravenous injection of a radiotracer is performed as part of the scan. Commonly used radiotracers are Rubidium-82, Nitrogen-13 ammonia and Oxygen-15 water.^[1]

Cardiac Pet scan can assess both blood flow^[2] and metabolism accurately. In patients with blocked coronaries, Cardiac PET scan can influence the choice between bypass surgery and angioplasty. More importantly, it can be used to predict whether depressed heart function can improve after revascularization.

Who should have Cardiac PET

• Patients with many risk factors e.g. hypertension, high cholesterol, smoking habit , diabetes, obesity, high stress occupation, family history of heart attack
• Patients who are unable to exercise
• Patients suspected of heart attack
• Patients newly diagnosed with heart failure
• Patients with abnormal ECG or treadmill

Requirements to perform Cardiac PET imaging include

• Facility: taking into consideration clinical workflow, as well as regulatory requirements such as requisite shielding from radiation exposure
• Capital equipment: PET or PET/CT scanner
• Radiopharmaceutical: Rubidium-82 generator system or close access to cyclotron produced isotopes such as Nitrogen-13 ammonia
• Personnel: including specially trained physician, radiographers, radiation safety supervisors and optional nursing support
• Operations: stress test monitoring, as well as emergency response equipment, processing and review workstations, administrative and support personnel are additional considerations

References