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Review
. 2024 Apr 24;16(4):e58960.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.58960. eCollection 2024 Apr.

Nuclear Cardiology in the Era of Precision Medicine: Tailoring Treatment to the Individual Patient

Biruk D Ayalew  1 , Zarin Nudar Rodoshi  2 , Vaishvik K Patel  3 , Alaa Alresheq  4 , Hisham M Babu  5 , Raja Faizan Aurangzeb  6 , Raja Irsalan Aurangzeb  6 , Marika Mdivnishvili  7 , Abdur Rehman  8 , Abdullah Shehryar  9 , Ahmad Hassan  10
Affiliations
Review

Nuclear Cardiology in the Era of Precision Medicine: Tailoring Treatment to the Individual Patient

Biruk D Ayalew et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Nuclear cardiology, employing advanced imaging technologies like positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), is instrumental in diagnosing, risk stratifying, and managing heart diseases. Concurrently, precision medicine advocates for treatments tailored to each patient's genetic, environmental, and lifestyle specificities, promising a revolution in personalized cardiovascular care. This review explores the synergy between nuclear cardiology and precision medicine, highlighting advancements, potential enhancements in patient outcomes, and the challenges and opportunities of this integration. We examined the evolution of nuclear cardiology technologies, including PET and SPECT, and their role in cardiovascular diagnostics. We also delved into the principles of precision medicine, focusing on genetic and molecular profiling, data analytics, and individualized treatment strategies. The integration of these domains aims to optimize diagnostic accuracy, therapeutic interventions, and prognostic evaluations in cardiovascular care. Advancements in molecular imaging and the application of artificial intelligence in nuclear cardiology have significantly improved the precision of diagnostics and treatment plans. The adoption of precision medicine principles in nuclear cardiology enables the customization of patient care, leveraging genetic information and biomarkers for enhanced therapeutic outcomes. However, challenges such as data integration, accessibility, cost, and the need for specialized expertise persist. The confluence of nuclear cardiology and precision medicine offers a promising pathway toward revolutionizing cardiovascular healthcare, providing more accurate, effective, and personalized patient care. Addressing existing challenges and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration is crucial for realizing the full potential of this integration in improving patient outcomes.

Keywords: artificial intelligence; cardiovascular diseases; molecular imaging; nuclear cardiology; personalized treatment; pet; precision medicine; spect.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. The journey from biomarker identification to advancing cardiovascular disease management.
Image Credit: Authors
Figure 2
Figure 2. A roadmap for the future of nuclear cardiology.
Image Credit: Authors
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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