Why PET

Cardiac PET (Positron Emission Tomography) is a non-invasive medical imaging technique that uses radioactive tracers to produce detailed images of the heart and diagnose various cardiac conditions.

Why PET vs SPECT?

Cardiac PET (positron emission tomography) imaging is a fast-growing clinical tool endorsed by well recognized clinical guidelines and has demonstrated its high accuracy and precision. This powerful non-invasive imaging technique can assess myocardial blood flow (MBF) throughout the coronary circulation system, epicardial vessels and microvasculature, making it more effective and more efficient as a functional imaging modality.

Cardiac PET imaging offers an array of advantages that make it more attractive than SPECT imaging for assessing coronary artery disease.

Higher resolution and advanced image acquisition/reconstruction

PET provides better quality static and ECG gated images and more importantly: dynamic quantitative data on myocardial blood flow during peak stress and at rest; a unique feature of PET.

Greater versatility

Broad variety of tracers available (perfusion and metabolism) makes it a more versatile modality.

Wealth of clinical information

MBF Quantitative PET (myocardial blood flow) generates greater insight into coronary physiology and pathology..

Better sensitivity and specificity

The combination of data from static, ECG-gated and dynamic images makes PET a more sensitive and specific functional imaging modality for the detection of coronary artery disease, reducing downstream costs.

Lower radiation exposure

PET imaging uses radiotracers with shorter half-lives for myocardial perfusion imaging, reducing patient radiation exposure.