ASNC Nuclear Cardiology Core Curriculum 2023

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 the basics of pre-test risk and how to incorporate results to get post-test risk.
Understand the 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 for assessing myocardial viability.
Recognize the role of SPECT on ventricular function assessment.
Identify appropriate imaging studies for indication.
Integrate perfusion findings to clinical and EKG data.
Identify a high-risk study.
Gain knowledge of AUC and its application.

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

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

Knowledge of Basic Physics of SPECT/MUGA Acquisition and Display – Robert Pagnanelli, CNMT, NCT, RT(N)(R), FASNC
Properties and Use of Standard Radiotracers – Karthikeyan Ananthasubramaniam, MD, FASNC
Basics of Pharmacologic Stress Agents Mechanism of Action, Administration, and Safety – Gregory S. Thomas, MD, MPH, MASNC
Radiation Biology Basics – Jason S. Tavel, PhD

2. Pre-test Assessment and Fundamentals of Stress Testing

Principles of Stress Testing – Donna M. Polk, MD, MPH, FASNC
Basics of Pre-test Risk and How to Incorporate Results for Post-test Risk – Prem Soman, MD, PhD, MASNC
Stress Lab Emergencies – Saurabh Malhotra, MD, MPH, FASNC

3. Nuclear Cardiology Protocols Review

4. Interpretation and Reporting of SPECT

Role of SPECT on Ventricular Function Assessment – Renée Bullock-Palmer, MD, FASNC
Identify a High Risk SPECT Study – Maria Sciammarella, MD
Recognizing Artifacts – E. Gordon DePuey, MD, MASNC
Systematic Interpretation and Reporting – Robert C. Hendel, MD, MASNC

5. Appropriate Use of Testing

Patient Centered Imaging: How to Choose the Right Test for the Right Patient – David Wolinsky, MD, MASNC
Knowledge of AUC and its Application – Rami Doukky, MD, MSc, MBA, FASNC

6. Risk Stratification