抄録
Since the advent of 123I-meta-iodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) in 1990s, it has been widely used in clinical practice in Japan. Based on the wide range of clinical applications, 123I MIBG is now incorporated in Japanese Circulation Society's guidelines of nuclear cardiology. The major role of 123I MIBG has been in determination of severity and prognostic evaluation of heart failure. In addition, assessment of the treatment by various types of medications has been the second major role of 123I MIBG imaging. Compared with the conventional clinical parameters of heart failure, additive values of 123I MIBG depend on how it reflects the patient condition more accurately, and how it relates to improvement in the patient outcome. 123I MIBG is also now available for cardiac imaging in the USA and Europe. Unified methodology and further studies focusing on clinical decision-making are the next required steps to document MIBG utility.
