Performing any diagnostic test in medicine is always a matter of trying to get the condition of the patient diagnosed properly with the least effort, exposure, discomfort and at the same time with the lowest possible error probability. Pre-test probability is helpful but often imprecise, effectively overestimating the patient's risk profile. In a broader prevention objective, the phases of a disease, its onset, progression, and complications must be taken into account. The negative predictive value, which is so important, has in turn its main limitation in identifying the healthy patient, that is, the one who does not belong to any cluster of patients in which we would act in terms of prevention. In coronary syndromes, the goal is instead to evaluate coronary heart disease, from mild to more extensive and significant forms. For this purpose, it is necessary to use parameters that investigate different and complementary aspects: stenosis, ischemia, the morphology of the atherosclerotic plaque, metabolic processes, in particular vitality and apoptosis, the presence of inflammatory processes. The possibility, already present thanks to Hybrid Imaging, of 'joining’ exams that study different aspects, will allow the patient to be increasingly characterized not only from a diagnostic point of view but also from a prognostic and personalized therapeutic choice.

This clinically oriented book provides an up-to-date review on the various hybrid imaging modalities that may be employed for the purpose of cardiac imaging. After discussion of generic aspects of hybrid imaging, SPECT/CT, PET/CT, and PET/MRI are each considered in depth. In addition, information is provided on upcoming technologies, such as dedicated so-called fast cardiac cameras (CZT detector technology) and novel probes and radiotracers. A wide variety of topics are addressed, including important technological aspects, possible applications, imaging protocols, peculiarities of the available modalities, radiation exposure, and dose reduction. Last but not least, an estimation of the cost efficiency of dedicated and hybrid imaging devices in cardiology is provided and possible scenarios with respect to health care economics are envisioned. Hybrid Cardiac Imaging will be of particular value for nuclear medicine specialists, cardiologists, and radiologists and will also be of interest to medical physicists, medical technicians, and cardiothoracic surgeons.

This book highlights the use of explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) for healthcare problems, in order to improve trustworthiness, performance and sustainability levels in the context of applications. Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) in Healthcare adopts the understanding that AI solutions should not only have high accuracy performance, but also be transparent, understandable and reliable from the end user's perspective. The book discusses the techniques, frameworks, and tools to effectively implement XAI methodologies in critical problems of healthcare field. The authors offer different types of solutions, evaluation methods and metrics for XAI and reveal how the concept of explainability finds a response in target problem coverage. The authors examine the use of XAI in disease diagnosis, medical imaging, health tourism, precision medicine and even drug discovery. They also point out the importance of user perspectives and value of the data used in target problems. Finally, the authors also ensure a well-defined future perspective for advancing XAI in terms of healthcare. This book will offer great benefits to students at the undergraduate and graduate levels and researchers. The book will also be useful for industry professionals and clinicians who perform critical decision-making tasks.

This book is a comprehensive guide providing cardiologists with the latest information and developments in the field of diagnostic and prognostic cardiac imaging. Divided into two sections, the first part of the book examines cardiac imaging, and is further divided into non-invasive and invasive techniques. The second section discusses clinical cardiology and is further divided into emerging therapies and the diagnosis and management of coronary artery disease. The book is enhanced by nearly 150 clinical photographs, diagrams and tables to assist learning. Key points Comprehensive guide to latest developments in diagnostic and prognostic cardiac imaging Section one covers non-invasive and invasive imaging techniques Section two discusses emerging therapies in clinical cardiology and management of coronary artery disease Highly illustrated with nearly 150 images, diagrams and tables

This clinically oriented book provides an up-to-date review on the various hybrid imaging modalities that may be employed for the purpose of cardiac imaging. After discussion of generic aspects of hybrid imaging, SPECT/CT, PET/CT, and PET/MRI are each considered in depth. In addition, information is provided on upcoming technologies, such as dedicated so-called fast cardiac cameras (CZT detector technology) and novel probes and radiotracers. A wide variety of topics are addressed, including important technological aspects, possible applications, imaging protocols, peculiarities of the available modalities, radiation exposure, and dose reduction. Last but not least, an estimation of the cost efficiency of dedicated and hybrid imaging devices in cardiology is provided and possible scenarios with respect to health care economics are envisioned. Hybrid Cardiac Imaging will be of particular value for nuclear medicine specialists, cardiologists, and radiologists and will also be of interest to medical physicists, medical technicians, and cardiothoracic surgeons. .

Clinical Nuclear Cardiology—now in its fourth edition—covers the tremendous clinical growth in this field, focusing on new instrumentation and techniques. Drs. Barry L. Zaret and George A Beller address the latest developments in technology, radiopharmaceuticals, molecular imaging, and perfusion imaging. Thoroughly revised to include 20 new chapters—Digital/Fast SPECT, Imaging in Revascularized Patients, and more—this new edition provides state-of-the-art guidance on key areas and hot topics with stunning visuals. Online access to the fully searchable text at expertconsult.com includes highly illustrated case studies that let you see the problem using a variety of imaging modalities. In other words, this is an invaluable resource no clinician or researcher in nuclear cardiology should be without. - Features an editorial and contributing team of worldwide leaders in nuclear cardiology to provide you with current and authoritative guidance. - Includes a section focusing on acute coronary syndromes to provide you with practical management tools for these conditions. - Presents a full-color design that allows color images to be integrated throughout the text. - Includes access to the fully searchable contents of the book online at expertconsult.com, along with highly illustrated case studies that let you see the problem using a variety of imaging modalities. - Features 20 new chapters including Cellular Mechanisms of Tracer Uptake and Clearance; Attenuation/Scatter Corrections: Clinical Aspects; Hybrid Imaging; Digital/Fast SPECT; Imaging in Revascularized Patients; and more. - Focuses on perfusion imaging in a section dedicated to this hot topic so you get all the information you need to stay current.

This book is focused on the use of non-invasive imaging in clinical cardiology. Its central theme is the use of different imaging modalities in the routine clinical problems that physicians encounter on a regular basis. Many different clinical issues are discussed, including valvular disease, coronary artery disease, and myocardial and pericardial disease. In these various pathologies, the applications of echocardiography, nuclear imaging, CMR and MSCT are highlighted. The majority of chapters are illustrated with a clinical case study and with moving images, which are contained on the accompanying CD. These case studies offer excellent examples of how to use the imaging modalities in clinical cardiology. Contributors are from Europe, the US and Asia to provide a global perspective. The ESC Education Series This book with its supporting CD is part of the ESC Education Series. The series is designed to provide medical professionals with the latest information about the understanding, diagnosis and management of cardiovascular diseases. Where available, management recommendations are based on the established European Guidelines, which encompass the best techniques to use with each cardiac disease. Throughout the series, the leading international opinion leaders have been chosen to edit and contribute to the books. The information is presented in a succinct and accessible format with a clinical focus.