The second edition of this Open Access book presents an expanded portfolio of examples of positron emission tomography coupled with computer tomography (PET/CT) studies in various cardiac conditions, providing a rationale for the implementation of this technology in an array of clinical conditions.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a major contributor to premature morbidity and mortality worldwide. Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are particularly affected by CVDs, with more than 75% of all CVD deaths occurring in these regions. Consequently, target 3.4 of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda aims for a 30% reduction in premature mortality due to non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including CVDs, by 2030.

Among CVDs, ischaemic heart disease (IHD) plays a significant role. According to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), IHD was responsible for 15.96% of global deaths in 2017. Between 2000 and 2017, the number of IHD deaths worldwide increased by 0.26% per year.

Several imaging tools help to non-invasively diagnose, stratify risk and guide management in cardiac disease. These include nuclear cardiology techniques, using either SPECT (single photon emission computed tomography) or PET/CT. While myocardial imaging with SPECT has been fully embraced by the cardiology community and is widely available worldwide, the introduction of PET/CT has been slower due not only to its higher costs but also to the limited availability of PET/VCT scanners, mostly utilized for oncological applications.

This book is an invaluable tool for nuclear medicine physicians, cardiologists and radiologists.

Marcelo Di Carli, Professor of Radiology and Medicine at Harvard Medical School and the Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, is recognized for pioneering cardiovascular radionuclide imaging, specializing in coronary heart disease, cardiac function, and is an exemplary clinician-scientist, teacher and mentor.

Maurizio Dondi, a nuclear medicine and cardiology specialist, directed Nuclear Medicine in Bologna, Italy, before leading as Head of the Nuclear Medicine and Diagnostic Imaging Section, Division of Human Health, Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications at the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, a United Nations organisation, for ten years.

Raffaele Giubbini, a former Professor and Chair of Nuclear Medicine at the University of Brescia and Director of the Department of Diagnostic Imaging. Contributing over 200 papers, primarily in nuclear cardiology and PET, he currently serves as an IAEA international expert.

Diana Paez Gutierrez, as Head of the Nuclear Medicine and Diagnostic Imaging Section at the IAEA, champions improved global healthcare access and strengthens the competences of nuclear medicine and diagnostic imaging professionals. Her extensive publication record reflects her dedication to addressing healthcare disparities and promoting diversity. 

Paolo Raggi, Professor of Medicine and Cardiology at the University of Alberta, formerly the Director of the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute, Edmonton, AB, Canada, and Adjunct Professor of Radiology, Professor of Population Health and Epidemiology, at Emory University in Atlanta, USA.

Michelle Williams is a Professor of Cardiovascular Imaging at the University of Edinburgh, Honorary Consultant Radiologist at NHS Lothian, and an Associate Director of the British Heart Foundation Data Science Centre and Imaging theme lead. She's specialized in multimodality non-invasive imaging of the heart and blood vessels, using machine learning and other advanced analytic techniques.