NUCLEAR CARDIOLOGY: Complete Clinical Guide to SPECT and PET Imaging, Myocardial Perfusion, Viability Assessment, Cardiac Amyloidosis, and AI-Integrated Diagnostic Interpretation

Nuclear cardiology has become one of the most powerful non-invasive approaches for understanding cardiovascular disease, combining advanced imaging technology with molecular-level insight into cardiac function, perfusion, and metabolism. This comprehensive clinical reference is designed to provide a structured, evidence-informed understanding of modern nuclear cardiology, integrating foundational science with real-world diagnostic application. This book delivers a complete progression from core principles to advanced clinical interpretation. It begins with the essential physics of radioactivity, radiation biology, and radiopharmaceutical design before advancing into imaging technologies including SPECT and PET systems, hybrid imaging platforms, and quality control protocols. Each concept is explained with clarity and clinical relevance, ensuring that complex material becomes practical and applicable in professional settings. A strong emphasis is placed on myocardial perfusion imaging, one of the most widely used tools in nuclear cardiology. The text explores acquisition protocols, patient preparation, image reconstruction, and structured interpretation frameworks. Readers are guided through identifying perfusion abnormalities, differentiating artifacts from pathology, and applying standardized reporting approaches that align with current clinical practice. Beyond perfusion imaging, the book expands into advanced diagnostic domains such as myocardial viability assessment, radionuclide evaluation of cardiac function, and absolute myocardial blood flow quantification using PET imaging. Specialised chapters explore emerging and high-impact applications including cardiac amyloidosis imaging, inflammatory cardiomyopathies, sympathetic neuronal imaging, and nuclear cardiology in complex patient populations. The integration of artificial intelligence into nuclear cardiology is also addressed, offering insight into how machine learning is shaping image reconstruction, automated interpretation, and risk prediction models. These discussions provide a forward-looking perspective while remaining grounded in current clinical frameworks. This reference is structured to support: – Cardiology fellows and residents seeking a strong conceptual foundation – Nuclear medicine trainees developing imaging expertise – Practicing clinicians aiming to refine interpretation and clinical decision-making – Healthcare professionals involved in advanced cardiac imaging workflows All content is presented for educational and professional development purposes and is intended to support clinical understanding rather than replace independent medical judgment. If a deeper, structured, and clinically relevant understanding of nuclear cardiology is required, this book provides a reliable and comprehensive pathway.