Definitions for "Nuclear cardiology"
a cardiac imaging modality that shows the blood flow through the heart after the injection of a radiopharmaceutical tracer. During nuclear stress testing, specialized images of the heart and the distribution of this tracer are obtained as the body moves through a scanner.
Nuclear cardiology is the practice of using small amounts of radioactive materials to detect and monitor the presence and progression of heart disease. A cardiologist is a heart specialist. A cardiologist who practices nuclear cardiology has special training and experience regarding the use of radioactive materials to detect diseases of the heart. Useful in detecting coronary artery disease, which limits blood flow to a portion of the heart. A small amount of radioactive material to evaluate heart function and blood supply to the heart in both the rest and exercise state.
An imaging technique which utilizes isotopes to measure the blood flow to different regions of the heart muscle (See Diagnosis & Treatment: Nuclear Cardiology for more detailed information.)