[What actually happens … in hybrid imaging?]

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Imaging
• Nuclear Medicine
• Hybrid Imaging Techniques

Background:

• Hybrid imaging, combining modalities like SPECT and PET/CT, is crucial for cardiac diagnostics.
• Myocardial perfusion imaging and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) are established methods for assessing heart vitality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore innovations in cardiac perfusion imaging.
• To highlight emerging applications of hybrid imaging in cardiology.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing SPECT and PET/CT for hybrid imaging.
• Employing FDG for vitality imaging and in infectious/inflammatory myocardial diseases.
• Increasing use of PET/MRI and novel tracers like amyloid-specific agents.

Main Results:

• Hybrid imaging is increasingly adopted for various cardiac conditions.
• FDG PET/CT and PET/MRI show significant value in inflammatory and infectious myocardial diseases.
• Novel tracers are expanding hybrid imaging's scope to conditions like cardiac amyloidosis.

Conclusions:

• Hybrid imaging combining perfusion and coronary visualization is beneficial for complex cases like multivessel disease.
• FDG PET/CT and PET/MRI are valuable for diagnosing infectious and inflammatory myocardial diseases.
• Emerging applications show promise but require further validation.