Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 15, 2026
Non-fluoroscopic Catheter Tracking for Fluoroscopy Reduction in Interventional Electrophysiology
Published on: May 26, 2015
Current status of nuclear cardiology practice in Latin America and the Caribbean
Diana Paez1, Amalia Peix2, Pilar Orellana3
1Nuclear Medicine and Diagnostic Imaging Section, Division of Human Health, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria.
Insights
Cardiovascular disease management in Latin America relies on nuclear cardiology, but infrastructure and resources vary. Enhancing nuclear cardiology capacity and fostering cooperation are crucial for future growth in the region.
Area of Science:
- Nuclear Cardiology
- Cardiovascular Imaging
- Medical Technology
Background:
- Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally and in Latin America.
- Nuclear cardiology plays a vital role in CVD management and is increasingly adopted in Latin American healthcare systems.
- Significant regional disparities exist in nuclear cardiology infrastructure, technology, radiopharmaceuticals, and human resources.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the current state of nuclear cardiology infrastructure and resources in Latin America and the Caribbean.
- To identify challenges and opportunities for the growth and development of nuclear cardiology in the region.
- To highlight the importance of a multimodality approach in cardiac imaging for improved patient outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of available data on gamma (γ) cameras, including single-photon emission tomography (SPECT) and SPECT-CT systems.
- Evaluation of positron emission tomography (PET) scanner prevalence and potential for expansion.
- Assessment of radiopharmaceutical production and generator assembly capabilities (technetium-99m).
- Review of common nuclear cardiology study types, with a focus on gated SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging.
- Examination of human resource availability, including physicians, technologists, medical physicists, and radiopharmacists.
- Consideration of stress testing modalities and their clinical application.
Main Results:
- The region has approximately 1348 gamma (γ) cameras (2.25 per million population), predominantly SPECT (80%), with limited hybrid SPECT-CT systems (8%).
- Positron emission tomography (PET) scanner availability is low (0.25 per million inhabitants), indicating significant growth potential.
- Limited radiopharmaceutical production (technetium-99m) and generator assembly exist in only four and four countries, respectively.
- Gated SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging constitutes about 80% of nuclear cardiology studies.
- Human resource density averages 1.1 physicians and 1.3 technologists per gamma camera, with minimal medical physicists and radiopharmacists.
Conclusions:
- The future of nuclear cardiology in Latin America and the Caribbean is promising, with substantial potential for advancement.
- Key factors for development include national, regional, and international cooperation, support from scientific societies, and governmental commitment.
- A comprehensive, multimodality approach to cardiac imaging is essential for optimizing the management of patients with cardiovascular diseases.
Abstract:
The burden of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in the world is ever growing. They represent the first cause of death worldwide and in Latin America. Nuclear cardiology has a well-established role in the management of patient with CVDs and is being increasingly integrated into the healthcare systems in the region. However, there remains variability as to the infrastructure available across the countries, in terms of existing technology, radiopharmaceuticals, and human resources. The approximate number of gamma (γ) cameras in the region is 1348, with an average of 2.25 per million population; Argentina and Brazil having the largest number. Nearly 80% of the existing cameras are single-photon emission tomography (SPECT), of which 8% are hybrid SPECT-CT systems. Positron emission tomography technology is steadily increasing, and currently, there is an average of 0.25 scanners per million inhabitants, indicating that there is a potential to expand the capacities in order to cover the needs. Four countries have nuclear reactors for research purposes, which allow the production of technetium-99 m (Argentina, Chile, Mexico and Peru), while four (Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, and Mexico) assemble 99Mo-99mTc generators. As for the nuclear cardiology studies, about 80% of studies performed are gated SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging; less than 10% are multi-gated acquisition (mainly for evaluation of cardiac toxicity in cancer patients), and the other 10% correspond to other types of studies, such as viability detection, and adrenergic innervation studies with 123I-MIBG. Physical stress is preferred, when possible, based on the clinical condition of the patient. Regarding human resources, there is an average of 1.1 physicians and 1.3 technologists per γ camera, with 0.1 medical physicists and 0.1 radiopharmacists per center in the region. The future of nuclear cardiology in Latin America and the Caribbean is encouraging, with great potential and possibilities for growth. National, regional, and international cooperation including support from scientific societies and organizations such as International Atomic Energy Agency, American Society of Nuclear Cardiology, and Latin American Association of Biology and Nuclear Medicine Societies, as well as governmental commitment are key factors for the development of the specialty. A multimodality approach in cardiac imaging will contribute to a better management of patients with CVDs.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:26Cardiac Catheterization IV: Nursing Management
01:29Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care
01:20Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System III: X-Ray
Definition and Purpose
An X-ray, or radiograph, is a non-invasive method that uses ionizing radiation to take images of internal structures. It is mainly used in cardiac imaging to examine the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels, aiming to identify abnormalities in the heart's size, shape, and position, such as heart failure, congenital defects, and vascular...
01:28Cardiac Catheterization I: Pre-Procedure Overview
01:21Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System IV: CMRI
01:30Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy