Cardiac positron emission tomography (PET) is growing in popularity among cardiologists because it provides the ability to diagnose cardiac disease with greater accuracy and precision.
Other benefits of cardiac PET include consistent, high-quality images, low radiation exposure and short acquisition protocols. It also provides quantification of myocardial blood flow and strong prognostic power.*
But adopting cardiac PET can be a daunting task for hospitals, health systems and clinics, especially when it comes to evaluating the financial considerations involved in offering cardiac PET services.
When selecting a cardiac PET system, some of the things that need to be considered include:
- Availability of an existing scanner
- Feasibility of acquiring a scanner if one is needed
- Weighing radioisotope cost relative to patient demand
- Determining if this new modality will require additional staff
- Managing regulations and compliance standards
- Considering staffing education and training
Financial considerations and the availability of Rubidium-82 generators are some of the most pressing concerns for adopting cardiac PET, with providers looking for ways to manage expanding their services in a cost-effective and scalable manner.
Whether you're an independent cardiologist or healthcare facility, CDL Nuclear Technologies offers two different low risk options to overcome these perceived challenges and can bring them directly to your doorstep. The two options CDL offers are a mobile cardiac PET/CT trailer or a daily-use mobile Rubidium-82 solution.
Mobile Cardiac PET/CT
CDL’s mobile cardiac PET/computed tomography (CT) trailer helps make adopting cardiac PET easy and affordable with a low risk.
This 51-foot mobile trailer has a state-of-the-art PET/CT system that can perform gated perfusion imaging, evaluate myocardial blood flow (CFR) and has a Rubidium-82 infusion system. Inside the trailer, there are computer servers, a PET/CT scanner, a control room, a hot lab, a patient prep room, an HVAC system and a generator to power everything.
The services that can be provided on the mobile trailer include:
- CDL radioactive material license with RSO and physicist
- Trailer staffing (Nuc Tech and Stress Tech)
- EKG machine with stress protocol
- Auto blood pressure machine
- Reading station: ScImage with Cedars or 4 DM
- Emergency equipment – AED, oxygen tank with delivery devices
- Billing consultation
- Ongoing clinical support
Once the trailer arrives, you will need to provide a physician/advanced clinician supervision (NP, PA) and support staff to “move” patients.
Your facility also will need to provide:
- A physician reader
- A crash cart
- Stress pharmaceutical and associated equipment
- EKG and IV supplies
- Accreditation
When placing the trailer on-site, it will require a 43 x 2-foot mobile pad with 15 feet of unobstructed space in front of the trailer for airflow of its air conditioner. The power requirements for the trailer are a 3-phase, 5-wire, WYE connection with neutral and ground with 480V. A Russell-Stoll DS2504MP 480v receptacle (male connection) also is required.
CDL’s IT experts also will work with your staff to ensure that your mobile cardiac PET/CT imaging trailer is seamlessly integrated with your PACS system. This will allow you to easily access and share patient images and data, which can help you to improve patient care and efficiency.
On-Demand Rubidium-82 Solution
CDL Nuclear Technologies also can deliver an on-demand, hassle-free solution to help meet your needs.
With CDL CardioNavix, you can perform cardiac PET whenever and wherever you need it. CardioNavix is the only provider of a patented, on-demand rubidium isotope for cardiac PET in America.
This solution allows you to schedule the day you would like to have the rubidium generator available at your clinic. CDL’s team will safely and securely deliver and set up the rubidium generator with the infusion system before your clinic opens. When the imaging day is complete, the CDL team will then return and take the rubidium generator away until your next scheduled day of service.
CDL offers flexible scheduling that includes weekends, on-site clinical support and training for physicians and staff.
CardioNavix allows scalability for your practice. Patients can be scanned according to your daily schedule, with direct infusion giving you the capability to use as many doses as necessary.
Also, if you don’t have access to a PET/CT camera, CDL may be able to assist you with options for you and your patients.
The Right Solution for You
If you are looking for cost-effective, low risk solutions to help accomplish your cardiac PET objectives, CDL Nuclear Technologies offers a variety of solutions to meet the needs of independent practitioners, clinics and hospitals.
Click here to learn more about mobile cardiac PET.
Additional information on CDL CardioNavix can be found here.
*Bateman TM et al. J Nucl Cardiol. 2016;23: 1227-1231
April 23, 2024 
