Key to Clarity Lies in Direct Measurement of Flow, Says JNC Editor-in-Chief

“As coronary artery disease becomes more diffuse and functionally mediated, the diagnostic focus must shift accordingly. In this
setting, the value of functional imaging lies less in visualization and more in the extraction of physiologic data. … Nuclear cardiology is well positioned to lead this transition.”

– Marcelo F. Di Carli, MD, MASNC
Editor’s Page, Journal of Nuclear Cardiology

The April issue of the Journal of Nuclear Cardiology highlights how the value of functional imaging is growing as the field becomes more adept at extracting and interpreting physiologic data from myocardial blood flow (MBF) quantification, says Marcelo F. Di Carli, MD, MASNC, in his latest Editor’s Page.

Quantitative measures of MBF and flow reserve are “increasingly positioned to serve as the primary signals for diagnosis, risk stratification, and treatment guidance,” plus they will provide “insights into disease biology and its clinical expression,” Dr. Di Carli explains. He encourages readers to dig into this month’s Journal for perspective on the shift underway in nuclear cardiology as well as challenges that lie ahead.

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