ASNC Announces New Imaging Guidelines for SPECT Nuclear Cardiology Procedures

Stress, Protocols and Tracers: “Finally one document brings it all together in one easy-to-use resource”

New guidelines published this month by the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC) provide nuclear cardiologists, nuclear medicine physicians, radiologists, physicians-in-training, nuclear technologists and other clinicians who perform Nuclear Cardiology SPECT procedures with a comprehensive resource detailing the latest imaging technology developments, stress modality advances, updated radiotracer dosing recommendations and, for the first time, recommendations for I123 MIBG imaging. Published online ahead of print in the Journal of Nuclear Cardiology, the new guidelines feature more than 20 detailed illustrations and tables ideal for posting in nuclear cardiology laboratories. 
 
"What makes this resource different from the previous guidelines is the highly practical approach, allowing step-by-step implementation in real-world clinical practice," says Milena Henzlova, MD, PhD, lead author of the guidelines. Her co-authors are W. Lane Duvall, MD, Andrew J. Einstein, MD, PhD, FASNC, Mark I. Travin, MD, FASNC, and Hein J. Verberne, MD. 

“At times the guidelines may be at odds with the product inserts, which are mostly written at the time of the product launch”, says Dr. Henzlova. The new ASNC guidelines incorporate newer data published in peer-reviewed journals as well as results of controlled clinical trials and the most recent AHA/ACC recommendations for special populations. Thus, every statement in the new guidelines is supported by evidence or consensus. 

The guidelines dedicate several pages, tables and figures to approaches that allow for lower radiotracer doses used for SPECT cardiac imaging, an imperative for the future of Nuclear Cardiology, says Dr. Henzlova. 

To download the “ASNC Imaging Guidelines for SPECT Nuclear Cardiology Procedures: Stress, Protocols and Tracers"