How does nuclear imaging compare with an echocardiography?
Both nuclear and echocardiographic imaging have significantly advanced our diagnostic capabilities in the field of cardiology. Each of theses tests have inherent pros and cons that are important to recognize when ordering. Nuclear imaging uses radiotracers (thallium-201 or technetium-99m sestamibi [Cardiolite]) to evaluate myocardial perfusion and function, and has greatly advanced the ability to detect and assess the extent of coronary ischemia. To detect ischemia or infarction, a radioisotope is injected at rest and after stress to produce images of myocardial regional uptake, which is proportional to regional blood flow. Normally, with maximal exercise or pharmacologic stress, myocardial blood flow is greatly increased above the resting condition. If a fixed coronary stenosis is present, myocardial perfusion in the territory supplied by the stenosis cannot be increased, which will create a flow differential and uneven distribution of the tracer. Pros • Stress myocardial perfusion im
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