Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region as well as worldwide. Lifestyle, nutritional habits and the upsurge of obesity have contributed to the increase in the prevalence of CVDs in the region. The role of nuclear cardiology in the management of patients with CVDs is well established. Particularly, myocardial perfusion imaging is widely used in LAC countries and has been increasingly integrated into the healthcare systems in the region for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease, risk stratification and to guide patient management. In its role to support countries around the world to address their health needs through the peaceful applications of nuclear techniques, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has provided assistance to the LAC region for the establishment and strengthening of the nuclear cardiology practice. To that extent, the IAEA provides support in building capacities of multidisciplinary teams of professionals, the provision of medical equipment and the promotion of communication and exchange of knowledge among the different stakeholders. In addition, the IAEA encourages the participation of nuclear medicine centers in international multi-center research studies. In this paper, we present some of the projects through which the IAEA has supported the LAC region, including regional technical cooperation projects and coordinated research projects related to cardiology within the current multimodality approach to cardiac imaging.
Highlights
The Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region has a population of over 600 million inhabitants, with almost 80% concentrated in urban areas
Cardiovascular diseases constitute the main cause of death in the region, especially ischemic heart disease, given the high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, and there is concern over a growing epidemic and potential for higher mortality related to cardiovascular diseases
We present the benefits obtained through three Regional Latin American (RLA) projects and nine coordinated research projects (CRPs) related to cardiology within the present multimodality approach in cardiac imaging
Summary
The Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region has a population of over 600 million inhabitants, with almost 80% concentrated in urban areas. Professionals involved in nuclear cardiology should increase their participation in training programs, certification courses, fellowships, and webinars, where the support of IAEA, ALASBIMN and ASNC, as well as national professional medical organizations, is of crucial importance Another hurdle to overcome is related to the supply of radioisotopes/radiopharmaceuticals, both for SPECT and PET studies. It was noted that (1) the LAC centers have the highest median radiation dose (12.1 mSv), (2) a wide variation in laboratory mean effective dose (ED) with only 11% of the institutions achieving a median ED B 9 mSv, (3) and the lowest proportion of laboratories with QI score of at least 6 These findings have provided a better understanding of the current practices of nuclear cardiology in LAC countries, as well as the opportunity to identify areas in which the IAEA can support to improve safety and quality of care, designing projects tailored to the specific needs of the region
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