Preclinical Imaging of Cardiovascular Disesase

Noninvasive imaging techniques, such as SPECT, PET, CT, echocardiography, or MRI, have become essential in cardiovascular research. They allow for the evaluation of biological processes in vivo without the need for invasive procedures. Nuclear imaging methods, such as SPECT and PET, offer numerous advantages, including high sensitivity, reliable quantification, and the potential for serial imaging. Modern SPECT and PET imaging systems, equipped with CT and MRI components in order to get access to morphological information with high spatial resolution, are capable of imaging a wide range of established and innovative agents in both preclinical and clinical settings. This review highlights the utility of SPECT and PET imaging as powerful tools for translational research in cardiology. By incor-porating these techniques into a well-defined workflow-similar to those used in clinical imaging-the concept of bench to bedside can be effectively implemented. Semin Nucl Med 53:586-598 & COPY; 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Noninvasive imaging techniques, such as SPECT, PET, CT, echocardiography, or MRI, have become essential in cardiovascular research and offer numerous advantages, such as high sensitivity and reliable quantification. Incorporating SPECT and PET imaging into a well-defined workflow similar to clinical imaging can effectively implement the concept of bench to bedside in cardiology translational research.