ASNC Nuclear Cardiology Core Curriculum 2023

Overview

The ASNC Nuclear Cardiology Core Curriculum 2023 is a comprehensive educational program designed to deepen your understanding of nuclear cardiology fundamentals through a structured series of 8 courses featuring 18 expert presentations. This curriculum integrates case-based questions to support active learning and practical application.

On-demand cardiology education — accessible anytime, anywhere.

Format: Videos and PowerPoint presentations

Agenda

This core curriculum covers essential topics in nuclear cardiology through focused courses delivered by recognized leaders in the field. The agenda is structured as follows:

• Physics Fundamentals, Basic Radiotracers, Stress Agents, and Radiation Biology
  • Knowledge of Basic Physics of SPECT/MUGA Acquisition and Display — Robert Pagnanelli, CNMT, NCT, RT(N)(R), FASNC
  • Properties and Use of Standard Radiotracers — Karthikeyan Ananthasubramaniam, MD, FASNC
  • Basics of Pharmacologic Stress Agents Mechanism of Action, Administration, and Safety — Gregory S. Thomas, MD, MPH, MASNC
  • Radiation Biology Basics — Jason S. Tavel, PhD
• Pre-test Assessment and Fundamentals of Stress Testing
  • Principles of Stress Testing — Donna M. Polk, MD, MPH, FASNC
  • Basics of Pre-test Risk and How to Incorporate Results for Post-test Risk — Prem Soman, MD, PhD, MASNC
  • Stress Lab Emergencies — Saurabh Malhotra, MD, MPH, FASNC
• Nuclear Cardiology Protocols Review
  • Protocols of Assessing Myocardial Viability — Panithaya Chareonthaitawee, MD
  • SPECT Protocols for CAD — W. Lane Duvall, MD, FASNC
• Interpretation and Reporting of SPECT
  • Role of SPECT on Ventricular Function Assessment — Renée Bullock-Palmer, MD, FASNC
  • Identify a High Risk SPECT Study — Maria Sciammarella, MD
  • Recognizing Artifacts — E. Gordon DePuey, MD, MASNC
  • Systematic Interpretation and Reporting — Robert C. Hendel, MD, MASNC
• Appropriate Use of Testing
  • Patient Centered Imaging: How to Choose the Right Test for the Right Patient — David Wolinsky, MD, MASNC
  • Knowledge of AUC and its Application — Rami Doukky, MD, MSc, MBA, FASNC
• Risk Stratification
  • Integrating Clinical and Stress EKG Findings with Myocardial Perfusion — Diwakar Jain, MD, MASNC
• Cardiac PET
  • Basics of Cardiac PET and Myocardial Blood Flow — Robert deKemp, PhD, FASNC
• Basics of CT in Nuclear Cardiology
  • Basics of Cardiac PET and Myocardial Blood Flow — Randall C. Thompson, MD, MASNC

Learner Objectives

After participating in this Nuclear Cardiology Core Curriculum, learners should be able to:

• Define basic principles of SPECT and MUGA acquisition/display including tomographic views and planes.
• Define and understand properties and use of standard perfusion tracers.
• Gain knowledge of principles of stress testing, contraindications, and when to choose exercise versus pharmacologic stress.
• Understand the basics of pre-test risk and how to incorporate results to determine post-test risk.
• Understand the basics of pharmacologic stress agents, including mechanism of action, administration, and safety.
• Understand the protocols used with perfusion tracers and how these are tailored to patient-centered imaging needs.
• Gain knowledge regarding protocols for assessing myocardial viability.
• Recognize the role of SPECT in ventricular function assessment.
• Identify appropriate imaging studies based on clinical indications.
• Integrate perfusion findings with clinical and EKG data.
• Identify a high-risk study.
• Gain knowledge of Appropriate Use Criteria (AUC) and its application.

Speakers

• Robert Pagnanelli, CNMT, NCT, RT(N)(R), FASNC
• Karthikeyan Ananthasubramaniam, MD, FASNC
• Gregory S. Thomas, MD, MPH, MASNC
• Jason S. Tavel, PhD
• Donna M. Polk, MD, MPH, FASNC
• Prem Soman, MD, PhD, MASNC
• Saurabh Malhotra, MD, MPH, FASNC
• Panithaya Chareonthaitawee, MD
• W. Lane Duvall, MD, FASNC
• Renée Bullock-Palmer, MD, FASNC
• Maria Sciammarella, MD
• E. Gordon DePuey, MD, MASNC
• Robert C. Hendel, MD, MASNC
• David Wolinsky, MD, MASNC
• Rami Doukky, MD, MSc, MBA, FASNC
• Diwakar Jain, MD, MASNC
• Robert deKemp, PhD, FASNC
• Randall C. Thompson, MD, MASNC

Target Audience

This curriculum is designed for cardiologists, nuclear medicine physicians, radiologists, and allied health professionals seeking to strengthen their expertise in nuclear cardiology techniques, protocols, interpretation, and clinical application.

Why This Topic Matters

The ASNC Nuclear Cardiology Core Curriculum 2023 addresses the evolving clinical and technical knowledge essential for proficient nuclear cardiology practice. This targeted training enhances professional understanding of diagnostic modalities, risk stratification, and imaging appropriateness within the cardiology specialty.

Available through MedHub Central, this curriculum facilitates accessible, evidence-based nuclear cardiology education, supporting clinicians in maintaining expertise aligned with current clinical standards and patient-centered care principles.