Comparisons and contrasts in the practice of nuclear cardiology in the United States and Japan

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Abstract

There are interesting differences between the practice of Nuclear Cardiology in Japan and that in the United States and associated unique challenges. Differences in patient body habitus and the perceived importance of limiting patient radiation dose have resulted in different radiopharmaceutical and imaging protocol preferences. Governmental approval and reimbursement policies for various radiopharmaceuticals have promulgated adoption of different clinical applications. Both countries have experienced a significant decline in the number of nuclear cardiology studies performed, in part due to decreased governmental funding and reimbursement and to the emergence of competing modalities. Whereas precertification and test substitution have impacted negatively on the sustainability and growth of nuclear cardiology in the United States, in Japan those deterrents have not yet been encountered. Instead, communication barriers between nuclear medicine physicians and referring cardiologists are cited as a more significant barrier.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1493-1498
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Nuclear Cardiology
Volume23
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Dec 2016

Keywords

  • Clinical practice
  • Japan
  • Nuclear Cardiology
  • United States

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