Nuclear Cardiology: An Interactive Review 2025-27

Monday, May 26, 2025, 12:01 AM - Tuesday, May 25, 2027, 11:59 PM


AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ (20.00 hours), Non-Physician Attendance (20.00 hours)

This course is a comprehensive online Self-Study program for physicians practicing nuclear medicine or studying to take the CBNC exam. The materials are presented in an on-line format where the student will evaluate didactic material, images & animations relevant to study of Nuclear Cardiology.

1. Comprehensive review of Patient preparation, Orbit, Matrix and Gating.
2. Discuss Reconstruction, Reorientation, Segmentation, Sampling, Polar Maps & Quantitative Perfusion.
3. Improve identification and handling of Errors and Artifacts.
4. Identify motion artifacts, regional & diffuse soft tissue attenuation and reconstruction artifacts.
5. Proper usage of motion and attenuation correction.
6. Explain how a gamma camera works and how SPECT images are formed in relation to collimation, crystal technology, photomultiplier tubes and essential electronic components.
7. The application of solid state detectors in nuclear cardiology.
8. Evaluate NEMA recommendations and identify artifacts in nuclear cardiology quality control.
9. Identify proper image interpretation and artifact in rotating planar imaging.
10. Interpret standard nomenclature and slice orientation in SPECT imaging.
11. Analysis of volumes & ejection fraction and identifying wall motion & thickening in Gated SPECT imaging.
12. Quantitative and Qualitative assessments in image interpretation.
13. Applying the characteristics of individual tracers, concepts of tracer kinetics, extraction, distribution, retention and radiation physics of radiopharmaceuticals in nuclear cardiology.
14. Addressing radiation safety concerns in nuclear cardiology in regard to: terminology, time, distance, shielding, biological effects, monitoring, occupational exposure, stochastic effects and deterministic effects.
15. ALARA dose considerations.
16. Compare and contrast exercise and pharmacologic stress testing options in terms of application, accuracy, strengths and weaknesses.
17. Imaging protocols in Nuclear Cardiology under administration of Thallium and TC-99m.
18. Apply principles of nuclear cardiology to board exam preparation.
19. Apply principles of dose versus scan time, radiation units and radiation from nuclear medicine studies.
20. Differentiate types of ionizing radiation, biological, physical, and effective half-life and an overall general approach to managing dose. 21) Recognize crystal technology/camera design, reconstruction algorithms, new radiotracers and Imaging protocols in nuclear medicine. 22) Evaluate special considerations with pediatric patients, modified dose chart and Image quality. 23) Identify future directions regarding the co-evolution of camera technology, software, and hardware as well as a multi-faceted approach to dose reduction. 24) A comprehensive background in Mo/Tc and Sr/Rb generators as well as functionality and special considerations. 25) Discuss the Rb-82 generators as a paradigm for the principles in generator safety. 26) The participant should recognize the rationale and implication surrounding the FDA recall of the Rb-82 generator for PET myocardial perfusion imaging. 27) The participant should be able to differentiate SPECT vs PET imaging, understand basic PET physics, identify components of a PET camera, understand image processing, reconstruction, stress protocols as well as the perfusion and viability of radiotracers. 28) Review multiple gated acquisition scan techniques in the evaluation of ventricular function. 29) Apply and expand upon principles of nuclear cardiology to board exam preparation.

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of The University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson and MD Training @home, LLC. The University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson designates this Enduring Material for a maximum of 20.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Accessibility Statement
 
University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson Office of Continuing Medical Education is committed to ensuring that its programs, services, goods and facilities are accessible to individuals with disabilities as specified under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act of 2008.  If you have needs that require special accommodations, including dietary concerns, please contact the CME activity coordinator.

Mitigation of Relevant Financial Relationships

University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson Office of Continuing Medical Education adheres to the ACCME's Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CME activity, including faculty, planners, reviewers or others are required to disclose all financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). The CME office reviewers have nothing to disclose. All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.