Role of nuclear medicine assessing patients with suspected coronary artery disease

Nuclear medicine is a critical component in the field of cardiology as it provides diagnostic and prognostic insights that are essential for the effective management of heart disease. Both single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) play a significant role in assessing the likelihood of ischemic heart disease based on pre-test probabilities. Both SPECT and PET should be integrated into the clinical pathway according to the patient’s individual risk profile, symptoms, and initial test results. The guidelines recommend using these imaging modalities to refine risk stratification, particularly in intermediate-risk patients, and to guide further invasive diagnostic or therapeutic procedures based on the imaging findings.