The Nuclear Cardiology Core Curriculum is designed for Cardiology Fellowship programs or for those seeking a general update. Through a series of presentations and case-based questions, leading experts in the field will help you expand your nuclear cardiology fundamentals.

The Nuclear Cardiology Core Curriculum is composed of 8 topics with a total of 18 presentations from leaders in the field:

1. Physics Fundamentals, Basics Radiotracers, Stress Agents, and Radiation Biology

• Knowledge of Basics Physics of SPECT/MUGA Acquisition and Display
• Properties and Use of Standard Radiotracers
• Basics of Pharmacologic Stress Agents Mechanism of Action, Administration, and Safety
• Radiation Biology Basics

2. Pre-test Assessment and Fundamentals of Stress Testing

• Principles of Stress Testing
• Basics of Pre-test Risk and How to Incorporate Results for Post-test Risk
• Stress Lab Emergencies

3. Nuclear Cardiology Protocols Review

• Protocols of Assessing Myocardial Viability
• SPECT Protocols for CAD

4. Interpretation and Reporting of SPECT

• Role of SPECT on Ventricular Function Assessment
• Identify a High Risk SPECT Study
• Recognizing Artifacts
• Systematic Interpretation and Reporting

5. Appropriate Use of Testing

• Patient Centered Imaging: How to Choose the Right Test for the Right Patient
• Knowledge of AUC and its Application

6. Risk Stratification

• Integrating Clinical and Stress EKG Findings with Myocardial Perfusion

7. Cardiac PET

• Basics of Cardiac PET and Myocardial Blood Flow

8. Basics of CT in Nuclear Cardiology

• Basics of Cardiac PET and Myocardial Blood Flow

The target audience for the Nuclear Cardiology Core Curriculum includes fellows, medical students, non-cardiologists, and the international cardiology community.

After participating in this Nuclear Cardiology Core Curriculum, learners should be able to:
• Define basic principles of SPECT and MUGA acquisition/display including tomographic views and planes
• Define and understand properties and use of standard perfusion tracers
• Gain knowledge of principles of stress testing, contraindications and when to choose exercise versus pharmacologic
• Understand basics of pre-test risk and how to incorporate results to get post-test risk
• Understand basics of pharmacologic stress agents (mechanism of action, administration, safety)
• Understand the protocols used with perfusion tracers, how it is tailored to imaging need (patient centered imaging)
• Gain knowledge regarding protocols of assessing myocardial viability
• Recognize the role of SPECT on ventricular function assessment
• Identify appropriate imaging study for indication
• Integrate perfusion findings to clinical and EKG data
• Identify a high risk study
• Gain knowledge of AUC and its application

The overall goal of the curriculum is to reach fellows and those in training by expanding overall knowledge of the fundamentals of nuclear cardiology.

Release Date: January 1. 2022
Expiration Date: July 31, 2023

Windows Requirements:
Operating system: Windows 10+
Browser: Chrome v90.0+, Firefox v84.0+, Edge v90.0+
Internet connection: DSL, cable modem, or other high-speed connection

Macintosh Requirements:
Operating system: Mac OS X 10.6.8+
Browser: Mozilla Firefox v84.0+, Safari 14+, Chrome v90.0+
Internet connection: DSL, cable modem, or other high-speed connection