Clinically valid cardiac evaluation via treadmill stress testing requires patients to achieve specific target heart rates and to successfully complete the cardiac examination. Methods: A comparison of the standard Bruce protocol and the ramped Bruce protocol was performed using data collected over a 1-y period from a targeted patient population with a body mass index (BMI) equal to or greater than 30 to determine which treadmill protocol provided more successful examination results. Results: The functional capacity, metabolic equivalent units achieved, pressure rate product, and total time on the treadmill as measured for the obese patients were clinically valid and comparable to normal-weight and overweight patients (P , 0.001). Data gathered from each protocol demonstrated that the usage of the ramped Bruce protocol achieved more consistent results in comparison across all BMI groups in achieving 80%-85% of their age-predicted maximum heart rate. Conclusion: This study did not adequately establish that the ramped Bruce protocol was superior to the standard Bruce protocol for the examination of patients with a BMI equal to or greater than 30.Key Words: cardiac exercise stress testing protocols; cardiac assessment; Bruce protocol versus ramped Bruce protocol; body mass index (BMI)
Diagnosis, early intervention, and treatment of patients who have an infection are the basic foundations of patient care. Early, appropriate interventions are associated with decreased patient morbidity and mortality. Diagnostic procedures with clinical information and laboratory results are integral in the assessment of inflammatory diseases and the prevention of sepsis. Some of the imaging modalities currently used for the assessment of inflammation include computed tomography, plain radiography, positron emission tomography, technetium Tc 99m bone scintigraphy, magnetic resonance imaging, and leukocyte scintigraphy. In the case of patients who exhibit signs of osteomyelitis, it is necessary to understand that acute and chronic conditions are not based on the duration of the disease but on the histopathologic features of the disease. Although several imaging modalities are considered appropriate, there is not one singular procedure that is considered ideal. Rather, it is a combination of procedures and various other clinical factors. This article addresses some of the advantages and disadvantages of the modalities, with a focus on molecular imaging and the assessment of osteomyelitis.
This article discusses the process by which the Society of Nuclear Medicine Technology Section (SNMTS) is assisting educators as they transition to comply with the fourth edition of the Curriculum Guide for Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology. Methods: An electronic survey was sent to a list of nuclear medicine technology programs compiled by the educational division of the SNMTS. The collected data included committee member demographics, goals and objectives, conference call minutes, consultation discussions, transition examples, 4-and 2-y program curricula, and certificate program curricula. Results: There were 56 responses to the survey. All respondents were program directors, with 3 respondents having more than one type of program, for a total of 59 programs. Of these, 19 (33.93%) were baccalaureate, 19 (28.57%) associate, and 21 (37.5%) certificate. Forty-eight respondents (85.71%) had accreditation through the Joint Review Commission on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology, 6 (10.71%) had regional accreditation, and 2 (3.57%) were accredited through other entities. Thirteen categories of required general education courses were identified, and the existing program curricula of 9 (69.2%) courses were more than 50% compliant with the fourth edition Curriculum Guide. The fact that no measurable gap could be found within the didactic professional content across programs was due to the lack of a degree requirement and content standardization within the profession. The data indicated that the participating programs offer a minimum of 1-15 contact hours in emerging technology modalities. The required clinical hours ranged from 765 to 1,920 for degree or certificate completion. The average number of clinical hours required for all programs was 1,331.69. Conclusion: Standardization of the number and types of courses is needed both for current baccalaureate programs and for clinical education. This standardization will guide programs in transitioning from a certificate or associate level to the baccalaureate level. The greatest obstacle is in expanding curricula to meet the recommendations of the fourth edition Curriculum Guide. Such expansion to entry-level competency may be met by incorporating hybrid imaging courses, secondary-level courses, and equivalency courses on the basic sciences and emerging technologies. (1) found that most respondents working in nuclear medicine technology (53.7%) indicated they would "need further training in the [nuclear medicine] field." Authors Wing and Langelier (2), in another survey a year later, found that only 14% of active nuclear medicine technologists had earned a bachelor's degree. These findings were the impetus for an investigation by the Society of Nuclear Medicine Technology Section (SNMTS) concerning the transition process for nuclear medicine technology educational programs.The SNMTS executive board charged the educational committee with the task of designing programmatic changes for the delivery of educational curricula within the profe...
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.