PET Scans and Heart Disease

PET is the most accurate test to reveal coronary artery disease or rule out its presence. The PET images show inadequate blood flow to the heart during stress undetected by other non-invasive cardiac tests.

Case Studies

• Patient 1: PET scans reveal that both blood flow and metabolism are absent in a large area of the heart. The absence of metabolism indicates that the tissue is dead, so a cardiac transplantation would be the treatment of choice.
• Patient 2: PET scans reveal that blood flow is markedly reduced in a large area of the heart, but metabolism is maintained. Because metabolism indicates that the tissue is still alive, cardiac transplantation is not necessary for this patient. However, bypass surgery would improve the function of the heart.