In what some might argue is similar to the industry shake-out between Blu-ray and HD digital video disc technology, the competition between SPECT and PET cardiac imaging is heating up. And the marketing of existing radiotracers and the development of new nuclear imaging agents is reflective of both advances in technology and clinical trends.

Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) using transcatheter-deployed stent grafts has grown significantly in the past 10 years. While surgeons traditionally perform aneurysm repairs, experts say the devices are increasingly deployed in cath labs by interventional cardiologists.

Myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) using single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) is an application that has been recently bolstered by the development of quantitative tools that enhance the system’s clinical capabilities in the nuclear cardiology community.

It’s no secret that many cardiology departments work with disparate systems to manage data, images and reports. These various iterations include cardiovascular information systems (CVIS), cardiac image and information management system (CIIMS), cardiac picture and arching communication systems (cardiac PACS), ECG management systems, echocardiography workstations and others.