Highlights of the 2007 Scientific Sessions of the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology

Abstract

The 12th annual Scientific Sessions of the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC) (chaired by Dr. Brian Abbott) were held in San Diego, California, from September 6 through 9, 2007. The meeting, entitled "Cardiac Imaging: Imagine the Future," attracted over 1,700 attendees. The scientific sessions were structured along specifically designed tracks, including the technical, core, and advanced tracks focusing on nuclear cardiac imaging and a dedicated computed tomography (CT) track, addressing the growing role of CT in noninvasive cardiac imaging and its integration with nuclear techniques in hybrid cardiac imaging. These tracks were complemented by the plenary sessions, which included keynote speakers addressing the role of nuclear cardiology in the healthcare system. Original research was presented in abstract presentations and a Young Investigator Award competition. Plenary SessionsDr. Robert Bonow gave the sixth annual Mario Verani Memorial Lecture, which is presented each year at the ASNC annual meeting by a prominent nuclear cardiologist, in memory of Dr. Mario Verani (1943 to 2001, a pioneer in nuclear cardiology and founder and past president of the ASNC. Dr. Bonow pointed out the gains that have been made in the fight against cardiovascular disease in the U.S., with deaths due to coronary artery disease (CAD) declining since the 1970s. With this backdrop, he posed the question: What role does imaging play in improved outcomes? There has been a tremendous increase, on the basis of data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and other sources, in the number of stress tests performed over the past 10 years, owing in large part to increases in myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI). With this increase comes an increase in cost, and Dr. Bonow asked whether this added cost provides added value. Cardiac imaging, mostly nuclear imaging and echocardiography at this point in time, has been shown to be useful for the diagnosis of CAD. In addition, there is a wealth of data, particularly regarding nuclear imaging, supporting the prognostic value of such tests. A normal study portends an excellent prognosis, whereas the prognosis becomes progressively worse with increasing degrees of abnormality of these tests. He noted, however, that all of the prognostic studies were retrospective, nonrandomized trials.