2016 Volume 2 Issue 1 Pages 50-52
For the numerous cardiology clinical practices in Japan, nuclear cardiology imaging tests are among the most important diagnostic tools. The Japanese nuclear cardiology community has developed a new application using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) to diagnose cardiac sarcoidosis, as well as new diagnostic imaging tests using 123I-beta-methyl-p-iodophenyl-pentadecanoic acid (BMIPP) and 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG). These new approaches have become popular worldwide. The Japanese Circulation Society (JCS) and the Japanese Society of Nuclear Cardiology (JSNC) have published clinical imaging guidelines and recommendations showing indications and standards for the new imaging tests. Current nuclear cardiology clinical practices in Japan may provide new insights for nuclear cardiology worldwide.