SUMMARY of Discussion on Heart

Abstract

The session discussed angina pectoris and myocardial infarction. In the first address regarding coronary artery disease, Dr. Maseri, London, summarized the expectations a cardiologist places on nuclear medical methods, especially on PET. From a clinical point of view information is needed on blood flow that should be presented as a three-dimensional image, for the purpose of delineating ischemic zones. Moreover, for classifying disease, monitoring progress and studying effects of therapy it is of special interest, and properly answerable by PET to investigate myocardial metabolism in its various aspects. Specifically there appears to be a need to relate uptake and consumption of glucose to that of free fatty acids. Also more work is asked for with regard to investigating neuronal activity and the binding of specific ligands to their proper receptors within the myocardium.