How is nuclear medicine used in cardiology?

Nuclear medicine is used in cardiology to diagnose heart conditions and assess blood flow.

Nuclear medicine is a medical specialty that uses small amounts of radioactive materials to diagnose and treat diseases. In cardiology, nuclear medicine is used to diagnose heart conditions and assess blood flow. One common nuclear medicine test used in cardiology is the myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) test. This test uses a small amount of radioactive material injected into the bloodstream to create images of the heart. The images show how well blood is flowing through the heart and can help diagnose conditions such as coronary artery disease and heart attack.

Another nuclear medicine test used in cardiology is the positron emission tomography (PET) scan. This test uses a small amount of radioactive material to create images of the heart. The images show how well the heart is functioning and can help diagnose conditions such as heart disease and heart failure.

Nuclear medicine is also used in cardiology to guide treatment. For example, a procedure called cardiac catheterization may be used to treat a blocked artery. Nuclear medicine can be used to guide the catheter to the correct location in the heart.

Overall, nuclear medicine plays an important role in cardiology by helping to diagnose and treat heart conditions.