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Published on: December 16, 2022
Radionuclide imaging of neurohormonal system of the heart
Xinyu Chen1, Rudolf A Werner1, Mehrbod S Javadi2
11. Devision of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany. ; 2. Comprehensive Heart Failure Center, University Hospital of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany.
Insights
Nuclear cardiology uses imaging techniques like SPECT and PET to assess heart failure by visualizing neurohormonal systems. This review covers available tracers for non-invasive cardiac imaging, aiding research and diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Nuclear Medicine
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Heart failure is a growing cause of death, particularly in developed nations, due to increased life expectancy.
- Existing pharmacological and instrumental therapies for heart failure face limitations and challenges.
- Nuclear cardiology has advanced significantly, offering non-invasive functional assessment of cardiac conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current applications of radionuclide technology in non-invasive imaging of the cardiac neurohormonal system.
- To focus on the tracers currently available for imaging the neurohormonal system in heart failure.
- To discuss the disadvantages and future perspectives of these imaging techniques.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on radionuclide imaging in nuclear cardiology.
- Focus on single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) applications.
- Analysis of available tracers for neurohormonal system imaging in heart failure.
Main Results:
- Nuclear cardiology techniques, SPECT and PET, allow non-invasive functional assessment of the heart.
- These methods have improved fundamental research and clinical diagnosis of heart failure.
- Various tracers are available for imaging neurohormonal systems involved in heart failure.
Conclusions:
- Radionuclide imaging offers valuable non-invasive insights into the neurohormonal systems implicated in heart failure.
- Continued development of tracers and techniques holds promise for improved diagnosis and management.
- Understanding the limitations and future directions is crucial for advancing cardiac care.
Abstract:
Heart failure is one of the growing causes of death especially in developed countries due to longer life expectancy. Although many pharmacological and instrumental therapeutic approaches have been introduced for prevention and treatment of heart failure, there are still limitations and challenges. Nuclear cardiology has experienced rapid growth in the last few decades, in particular the application of single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET), which allow non-invasive functional assessment of cardiac condition including neurohormonal systems involved in heart failure; its application has dramatically improved the capacity for fundamental research and clinical diagnosis. In this article, we review the current status of applying radionuclide technology in non-invasive imaging of neurohormonal system in the heart, especially focusing on the tracers that are currently available. A short discussion about disadvantages and perspectives is also included.
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