6 Noninvasive Modalities
Positron Emission Tomography Myocardial Perfusion Imaging (PET MPI)
Like SPECT, PET is a functional imaging test that can be used for the diagnosis and risk stratification of CAD. It has a high diagnostic sensitivity and specificity, with high spatial resolution and attenuation correction. PET can also calculate coronary flow reserve, which is a powerful factor that can be used to estimate the risk of future cardiac events.6
Despite its expanded applications, PET may require an on-site cyclotron for the radiotracers used in imaging. The high cost of PET equipment may continue to limit its more widespread use. Furthermore, the short half-lives of PET radiotracers may limit stress procedures to pharmacologic stress tests only.6
This test is considered an applicable imaging service under the Medicare AUC program.10
