¹²³I-MIBG in Latin America

Abstract

Heart Failure (HF) is a life-threatening disease which incidence is growing over the years, leading to a considerable increase in disability, mortality and healthcare costs. The actual treatment of HF, includes, beside optimal medical treatment, use of resynchronization therapy and implantable cardiac defibrillator. In some developing countries, the cost of these two devices is extremely high, being mandatory the adequate selection of the patients whose will benefit more from these measures. ¹²³I-MIBG scintigraphy is the only technique approved to provide information of the adrenergic function of the heart, being a powerful risk stratification tool in patients with HF. Multiple studies have shown that the evaluation of cardiac sympathetic nerve activity using ¹²³I-MIBG imaging, especially the heart-to-mediastinum ratio, can differentiate high-risk from low-risk patients. Cardiac MIBG imaging has still poor availability in Latin America. It is mostly performed in Brazil, where some studies showed the possible benefits and potential uses for MIBG.