Challenges and Opportunities of Nuclear Cardiology in India

Abstract

Nuclear Cardiology in India is underutilized. Contributing factors include high cost of starting Nuclear medicine facility, stringent regulations, small pool of trained nuclear physicians and technologists, high cost of radio pharmaceuticals and supply issues, poor penetrance of nuclear medicine in rural areas, inadequate exposure of cardiologists during training to the advantages of nuclear cardiology. India is poised to see an epidemic of coronary artery disease (CAD) and diabetes by end of few decades and nuclear cardiology would make significant contributions to handle this epidemic. Government and insurance companies advocacy is necessary for nuclear Cardiology to get its important rightful place in the management of CAD in India.