Inova expands access to advanced heart imaging with cardiac PET/CT

New imaging option helps doctors evaluate chest pain, blood flow and complex heart conditions with greater precision.

Inova Cardiac Diagnostics is now offering cardiac PET/CT at its Willow Oaks location near Inova Fairfax Hospital, bringing one of the most advanced forms of cardiac imaging to patients in Northern Virginia.

Cardiac PET/CT is a noninvasive imaging test that evaluates blood flow to the heart muscle. It can detect coronary artery disease, identify reduced blood flow and diagnose problems involving the heart’s small blood vessels (coronary microvascular dysfunction) that may not be detected with conventional testing.

The program will continue to expand later this year to include evaluation of certain inflammatory conditions of the heart muscle, such as cardiac sarcoidosis and myocarditis, infections like endocarditis and those related to cardiac devices, as well as assessment of heart muscle viability after a heart attack.

“Cardiac PET/CT can provide highly accurate, comprehensive information that helps us diagnose cardiovascular disease earlier and more precisely, particularly when symptoms are complex or prior testing has been inconclusive,” said Abbas Emaminia, MD, Director of Cardiac Diagnostics at Inova Schar Heart and Vascular. “Our team also works closely with patients and referring physicians to facilitate insurance prior authorization including those with commercial insurance plans.”

As the program grows, Inova plans to add additional imaging tracers (including F-18 Flurpiridaz), allowing physicians to evaluate an even broader range of cardiovascular conditions using this advanced imaging technology.

Why cardiac PET/CT

Compared with traditional nuclear stress tests, cardiac PET/CT offers several important advantages including:

• Higher image quality and diagnostic accuracy
• Low radiation exposure
• Faster image capture and shorter appointment times
• Quantitative measurement of myocardial blood flow and coronary flow reserve

Who may benefit

Cardiac PET/CT may be appropriate for patients with:

• Chest pain or unexplained shortness of breath
• Known or suspected coronary artery disease
• Symptoms and risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension or obesity
• Persistent symptoms despite previous normal or inconclusive stress testing
• Suspected coronary microvascular dysfunction

What cardiac PET/CT can help evaluate

Inova’s cardiac PET/CT services are designed to help doctors evaluate several heart-related concerns including:

• Coronary artery disease and reduced blood flow to the heart muscle
• Coronary microvascular dysfunction affecting the heart’s small blood vessels
• Assessment of heart muscle viability after heart attack or in certain patients with heart failure
• Inflammation of the heart muscle (cardiac sarcoidosis and myocarditis)
• Certain infections of heart valves and devices (endocarditis and select cardiac device-related infections)

A faster, more convenient experience

“The scan itself is typically completed in under one minute, and the full visit usually takes about 45 to 60 minutes,” said Neil Smarte, Director of Noninvasive Cardiovascular Imaging at Inova. “This allows patients to receive advanced imaging in a more streamlined, efficient setting.”

Location

Inova Cardiac Diagnostics – Willow Oaks
8280 Willow Oaks Corporate Dr., Suite 100
Fairfax, Va 22031

703-269-3270
703-269-3271 (Fax)

Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Patients who may benefit from cardiac PET/CT should talk with their cardiologist or healthcare provider about whether this test is appropriate for them.

Insurance coverage

Cardiac PET/CT is covered by Medicare, and more commercial insurers are beginning to cover the test. Inova’s team helps with prior authorization to support timely access when the test is recommended by a patient’s care team.