June 23, 2025 — GE HealthCare’s commitment to advancing precision care in cardiology through its molecular imaging solutions will be on display at the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) annual meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana.
As cardiovascular disease (CVD) continues to rise globally,i the need for advanced diagnostic technologies becomes increasingly critical. GE HealthCare's molecular imaging technologies – including positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT) and single-photon emission computed tomography-computed tomography (SPECT/CT) – and radiopharmaceuticals – namely its Flyrcado (flurpiridaz F 18) injection – play a crucial role in cardiac care by providing detailed insights into biological processes beyond conventional imaging.
These advanced imaging techniques enable early diagnosis, precise assessment of myocardial perfusion and ischemia, and evaluation of infiltrative cardiomyopathies. By identifying specific pathologic processes, molecular imaging helps tailor treatments to individual patients, with the aim to enhance the effectiveness of therapies and improving prognosis. Additionally, it allows for monitoring treatment responses and disease progression, ultimately helping contribute to better patient outcomes.ii
“Flyrcado represents one of the most significant advancements in nuclear cardiology in decades,” shares Marcelo Fernando DiCarli, MD, Chief, Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology and Executive Director, Cardiovascular Imaging Program, Departments of Radiology and Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital. “For the first time in nearly 20 years, we have a new PET myocardial perfusion tracer that brings the latest imaging technology within reach for patients across the U.S. The image quality is exceptional, and its use has the potential to reduce unnecessary invasive procedures by improving diagnostic confidence. I’ve found it to be a valuable addition to our clinical practice, enabling more personalized treatment strategies and better patient outcomes. The excitement across the cardiology community is evident as we enter a new era in precision cardiac care.”
GE HealthCare’s Flyrcado injection, a first-of-its-kind F 18-unit dose PET myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) agent for patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease (CAD), helps clinicians deliver higher diagnostic efficacy compared to SPECT MPI, the predominant procedure used in nuclear cardiology today.
Recently launched in select U.S. markets, Flyrcado’s availability aligns with its receipt of CMS pass-through status, effective April 1, which includes a drug-specific HCPCS billing code to support efficient coding and Medicare coverage. In addition, Flyrcado is now covered by all seven Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) at either invoice price or better, depending on the site of care. More than 50% of commercially insured beneficiaries are now covered under updated national and regional cardiac PET policies that include Flyrcado as a covered benefit—marking significant progress in expanding access beyond the hospital outpatient setting. Further expansion is expected in the second half of the year as additional payors complete their policy reviews. To support this evolving access landscape, GE HealthCare has launched the Flyrcado Support Center (800-729-0701) to assist customers with benefits investigations, coding, coverage, and claims submissions.
“With coverage now in place for all traditional Medicare beneficiaries, along with updated PET coverage policies in place for more than half of the nation’s commercially insured beneficiaries, millions of Americans—many at risk for or living with coronary artery disease, the leading cause of death in the U.S. — will have greater access to this innovative technology,” said Eric Ruedinger, Vice President and General Manager of GE HealthCare’s Pharmaceutical Diagnostics division for the U.S. and Canada. “Flyrcado represents a significant advancement in cardiac care over SPECT imaging, offering clinicians a new, highly effective diagnostic tool to support more timely and personalized care for patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease.”
Flyrcado can be imaged with a range of PET/CT systems, including GE HealthCare’s Omni Legend, offering clinicians flexibility in integrating this innovative tracer into their existing imaging workflows. With Flyrcado, clinicians have the first practical opportunity to combine exercise stress testing with cardiac PET imaging for CAD, providing a highly effective protocol for evaluating ischemia in patients.
Beyond Flyrcado, Omni Legend enables exceptional cardiac diagnostics, accommodating a range of tracers – including fast decay and emerging tracers. Representing a scalable PET/CT platform designed to evolve with healthcare system needs across care areas with shorter scan times and lower doses,iii it continues to gain in popularity, representing the company’s fastest-ever-selling PET/CT.iv
GE HealthCare will also provide its StarGuide and Aurora SPECT/CT systems, designed to capture gamma rays emitted by radioactive tracers. Both systems offer exceptional image quality and scan time efficiency, supporting clinicians in making confident diagnoses. These features make SPECT/CT a valuable tool in cardiac care, providing comprehensive views of both physiological and structural aspects of diseases.
Additional solutions from GE HealthCare’s MIM Software are also available to enable multi-modality viewing and fusion of cardiac images and offer integration pathways for cardiac analysis.
For more information on GE HealthCare’s innovative portfolio of molecular solutions for cardiology, please visit gehealthcare.com. SNMMI show attendees are also encouraged stop by the company’s booth (#638 and #1023) at New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
i World Health Organization. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). June 11, 2021. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cardiovascular-diseases-(cvds). Accessed February 2023.
ii Ayalew, B. D., Rodoshi, Z. N., Patel, V. K., Alresheq, A., Babu, H. M., Aurangzeb, R. F., Aurangzeb, R. I., Mdivnishvili, M., Rehman, A., Shehryar, A., & Hassan, A. (2024, April 24). Nuclear cardiology in the era of precision medicine: Tailoring treatment to the individual patient. Cureus.
iii Omni Legend enables up to 40% PET dose reduction or up to 32% PET scan time reduction compared to Discovery MI 20 cm. As demonstrated in phantom testing.
iv Based on orders data of GE HealthCare PET/CT systems since 2010.
July 25, 2024 
