Cardiac nuclear medicine has grown dramatically over the past decade to the point where it is now an integral part of the routine diagnostic workup in patients with heart disease, particularly coro nary artery disease. In no small part, this is the result of dramatic improvements in technology and the application of these improve of diagnostic techniques. ments to the development and refinement In this book, authorities on cardiac imaging techniques provide an up-to-date description of the field, covering the clinical appli cability, efficacy, and future potential of myocardial perfusion...

Applications of angiography have expanded to include not only diagnostic proce- dures but also therapeutic interventions. The introduction of regional administra- tion of vasoactive drugs through percutaneously placed angiographic catheters was soon followed by methods of transcatheter vessel occlusion using temporary or permanent embolic materials. At the same time methods of opening up nar- rowed or completely obstructed blood vessels with percutaneously introduced balloon catheters were being perfected. Thus, regional blood flow reduction or regional blood flow increase can now be...