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Cardiac PET: Myocardial Viability

Cardiac PET: Myocardial Viability

The applications for Cardiac Viability Imaging with FDG PET are:

1. The identification of patients with partial loss of heart muscle movement or hibernating myocardium is important in selecting candidates with compromised ventricular function to determine appropriateness for revascularization.
2. Distinguish between dysfunctional but viable myocardial tissue and scar tissue in order to affect management decisions in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy and left ventricular dysfunction.

Medicare covers FDG PET for the determination of:

1. Myocardial viability as a primary or initial diagnostic study prior to revascularization, or following an inconclusive SPECT. Studies performed by full and partial ring scanners are covered.
2. Limitations: In the event a patient receives a SPECT test with inconclusive results, a PET scan may be covered. However, if a patient receives a FDG PET study with inconclusive results, a follow up SPECT test is not covered.
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818-925-2480
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info@cardiacpetpartners.com
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