The Infona portal uses cookies, i.e. strings of text saved by a browser on the user's device. The portal can access those files and use them to remember the user's data, such as their chosen settings (screen view, interface language, etc.), or their login data. By using the Infona portal the user accepts automatic saving and using this information for portal operation purposes. More information on the subject can be found in the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By closing this window the user confirms that they have read the information on cookie usage, and they accept the privacy policy and the way cookies are used by the portal. You can change the cookie settings in your browser.
The display and nomenclature of nuclear cardiology images has been standardized. The analysis of nuclear cardiology images should follow a systematic approach and sequence as outlined in the Imaging Guidelines for Nuclear Cardiology Procedures, Part 2 (1) (on line: http://www.asnc.org ; menu: library and resources: guidelines and standards).
Whether planning a new nuclear cardiology imaging facility, or renovating an existing laboratory, there are many factors to be considered and many decisions to be made. This chapter will highlight and discuss many of these practical decisions.
The operation of a nuclear cardiology imaging facility requires planning, scheduling, and modifications that depend on the types of procedures and the number and type of patients referred for imaging.
The display and nomenclature of nuclear cardiology images have been standardized. The analysis of nuclear cardiology images should follow a systematic approach and sequence as outlined in the Imaging Guidelines for Nuclear Cardiology Procedures, Part 2 (1) (on line: http://www.asnc.org ; menu: library and resources: guidelines and standards).
Continuing quality assurance is an integral part of the present-day practice of medicine. Compliance by health care providers to quality standards set by organizations such as the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) is a matter of public record that can be carefully examined by the public as well as Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) and other health insurance...
At time of this writing SPECT ERNA is not routinely performed in most nuclear cardiology laboratories. Consequently, no standards have been set for display and analysis of SPECT ERNA. It seems reasonable to use a similar approach for SPECT ERNA as for SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging.
SPECT ERNA is not routinely performed in most nuclear cardiology laboratories. Although the equipment used for the acquisition of ECG-gated SPECT myocardial perfusion images allows for acquisition of ECG-gated SPECT ERNA without additional hardware or modifications, the processing software and the calculation of global LVEF is not fully standardized and/or widely validated. It is likely that in the...
Until recently no standards for reporting results of nuclear cardiology studies existed. In 1997 the Intersocietal Commission for Accreditation of Nuclear Laboratories (ICANL) published standards and templates for optimal nuclear cardiology reports (1) (see http://www.icanl.org ). The reason for this publication was that peer review of numerous laboratories revealed that the form, content, and quality...
Ongoing quality assurance is a vital component for the optimal functioning of a laboratory. All equipment, including imaging and nonimaging equipment, must be checked regularly to ensure proper functioning . In addition to the technical quality assurance of equipment, it is recommended that a program is in place that periodically assesses the quality of technologists and interpreting staff.
Every nuclear cardiology imaging facility should have written protocols for all procedures. In addition, written protocols and policies should be in place for all other medical and nonmedical procedures and anticipated incidents.
The display and nomenclature of nuclear cardiology images has been standardized. The analysis of nuclear cardiology images should follow a systematic approach and sequence as outlined in the Imaging Guidelines for Nuclear Cardiology Procedures, Part 2 (1) (on line: http://www.asnc.org ; menu: library and resources: guidelines and standards).
Accurate coding and billing of procedures performed in the laboratory are extremely important. The following serves as a brief introduction to appropriate coding. However it is not the intention, nor is it possible, to provide definitive guidelines for any specific laboratory. Rules differ in different states and for different health maintenance providers. Always seek advice and check with local billing...
In recent years many hospitals have instituted Chest Pain Centers (CPC) in hospital emergency departments (ED) for the purpose of efficient triage of patients with chest pain and normal or nonischemic rest ECG. The American Society of Nuclear Cardiology published a position paper on the use of radionuclide imaging in the ED (1) (on line http://www.asnc.org ).
In a well-run facility details of all procedures and policies are described in written protocols to ensure standardization and consistency of daily operations. Since no imaging facility operates under identical circumstances, protocols must be modified to meet specific needs. In order to meet standards for accreditation by the ICANL, for example, well-detailed “laboratory-specific protocols” play...
Radiation safety is an extremely important issue for nuclear cardiology laboratories. It is mandatory that imaging facilities operate in compliance with Nuclear Regulatory Commission regulations ( http://www.nrc.gov ) and/or those imposed by the state and local agencies in states not directly under NRC supervision (“agreement states”) or similar agencies in other countries.
When interpreting nuclear cardiology images, one should always consider the possibility of artifacts or other technical problems that may interfere with image quality. Artifacts are not unexpected in conventional SPECT imaging. During the process of external detection of relatively low-energy photons emanating from inside the body, tissue attenuation, noncardiac uptake, and motion may distort images.
Although the use of planar myocardial perfusion imaging has decreased drastically in the last 10 yr, some patients can be imaged only using the planar technique. These are patients with claustrophobia, patients who are too heavy for the SPECT imaging table, and patients who cannot remain immobile on the imaging table for an extended period of time.
Planar equilibrium radionuclide angiocardiography (ERNA), also known as radionuclide ventriculography (RVG), gated blood pool imaging (GBPI), or MUGA (multigated acquisition), is performed in most laboratories considerably less frequently than radionuclide myocardial perfusion imaging. ERNA is the most reproducible, accurate, and simple method for noninvasively assessing left ventricular ejection...
Patients should be well informed about what to expect during the nuclear cardiology procedure. In order to decrease the number of rescheduled and canceled appointments, it is important to make sure patients are not only properly prepared for the procedure, but also that they are well informed about the examination. They should be informed about all aspects, including the duration of the procedure,...
Set the date range to filter the displayed results. You can set a starting date, ending date or both. You can enter the dates manually or choose them from the calendar.