Review
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World J Meta-Anal. Feb 26, 2014; 2(1): 1-16
Published online Feb 26, 2014. doi: 10.13105/wjma.v2.i1.1
Role of nuclear cardiology for guiding device therapy in patients with heart failure
Mario Petretta, Andrea Petretta, Teresa Pellegrino, Carmela Nappi, Valeria Cantoni, Alberto Cuocolo
Mario Petretta, Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
Andrea Petretta, Department of Arrhythmology, Maria Cecilia Hospital, 48010 Cotignola, Italy
Teresa Pellegrino, Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging, National Council of Research, 80131 Napoli, Italy
Carmela Nappi, Alberto Cuocolo, Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
Valeria Cantoni, SDN Foundation, Institute of Diagnostic and Nuclear Development, 80142 Naples, Italy
Author contributions: Petretta M and Cuocolo A designed the research; Petretta A and Pellegrino T performed the research; Nappi C and Cantoni V analyzed the data; Petretta M and Cuocolo A wrote the paper.
Correspondence to: Mario Petretta, MD, Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy. petretta@unina.it
Telephone: +39-81-7462233 Fax: +39-81-5457081
Received: October 25, 2013
Revised: November 20, 2013
Accepted: December 17, 2013
Published online: February 26, 2014
Processing time: 123 Days and 19.6 Hours
Core Tip

Core tip: This article focuses on the potential capability of nuclear cardiology techniques to guide cardiac resynchronization therapy and to select patients for implantable cardioverter defibrillators. Radionuclide angiography and gated single-photon emission computed tomography myocardial perfusion imaging have shown promise as predictors of outcome after device therapies. Combined positron emission tomography/computed tomography may identify the location of biventricular pacemaker leads and obtain left ventricular functional data, including contractile phase analysis. Cardiac imaging with autonomic radiotracers may predict cardiac resynchronization therapy response and may also identify patients at risk for sudden cardiac death, therefore potentially offering a way to select patients for these device treatments.