What is Cardiac PET-CT
A cardiac PET-CT scanner is a PET-CT scanner with additional hardware and software that enables imaging of the heart.
It is used to risk-stratify patients with suspected coronary artery disease. The main test used today is stress SPECT (stress ‘nuclear medicine’ study) but others include stress echo and coronary CTA. It is a newer test but has been available at many academic centers for over 10 yrs and now offered in hundreds of centers across the US.
The Benefits of Cardiac PET-CT
- Endorsed by American Society of Nuclear Cardiology and Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (the two largest organizations in the US for stress tests) as a first line test for suspected coronary artery disease (CAD).
- Covered as first line test by Medicare and many third-party insurers.
- Advantages compared to SPECT (main test used for CAD today):
- PET-CT is less than a quarter and sometimes a tenth the radiation dose of a SPECT.
- PET-CT is a 30 min test, whereas SPECT is a 4-5 hr test.
- Negative predictive value (NPV) of 3D PET-CT with CFR is in the high 90s while NPV of SPECT is in mid 70s.
- Tower Imaging is one of the few centers in Southern California performing 3D cardiac PET-CT (faster and lower radiation) with Coronary Flow Reserve (higher accuracy).
Insurance Coverage
Medicare covers Rubidium Cardiac PET-CT as first line for risk stratification of patients with possible coronary artery disease. Medicare also covers Rubidium cardiac PET-CT after an indeterminate SPECT scan for patients with possible CAD. Most 3rd party insurers also cover Rubidium cardiac PET-CT. Tower Imaging can help with pre-authorization for these patients. Please contact us for further details.
Flyrcado™ — A Breakthrough in Myocardial Perfusion Imaging (MPI)
Tower Saint John’s Imaging is proud to be the first facility in the Western United States to offer Flyrcado™ (flurpiridaz F-18), a next-generation PET myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) agent. This advanced radiopharmaceutical is designed for the detection of coronary artery disease (CAD) and delivers s superior image quality, enhanced diagnostic accuracy, and reduced radiation exposure compared to traditional MPI methods such as SPECT or Rb-82 PET/CT.
What Is Flyrcado™ (flurpiridaz F 18)?
Flyrcado™ is a newly FDA-approved radiopharmaceutical used in PET imaging to assess myocardial perfusion in patients with known or suspected CAD. Radiolabeled with fluorine-18 (18F), the agent is taken up by healthy heart muscle cells in proportion to blood flow. Areas with reduced uptake appear as defects on PET/CT scans—helping physicians diagnose CAD more effectively.
How Flyrcado™ PET Imaging Works
Once administered, Flyrcado™ is rapidly absorbed by the heart muscle and demonstrates high first-pass extraction and minimal washout. Its strong affinity for mitochondrial complex I (MC-1) ensures sharp contrast between healthy and ischemic tissue—delivering precise and reliable cardiac images during both rest and stress phases.
What to Expect During Your PET MPI Exam
The Flyrcado™ PET MPI with pharmacological stress typically takes 60 minutes. The procedure includes:
- Preparation: Patients abstain from all caffeinated products, including decaffeinated coffee, for 24 hours. Smoking should also be avoided for 24 hours. Patients fast for four hours.
- Injections: A single unit dose of Flyrcado™ is administered via IV during rest and stress portions of the exam.
- Imaging: PET scans are taken at rest and under stress conditions using our cardiac-enabled PET/CT scanner.
- Completion: Patients may resume normal activity post-scan. Drinking fluids helps clear any remaining tracer.
Why Choose Flyrcado™ Cardiac PET/CT MPI Over SPECT MPI or Rb-82 PET/CT MPI?
Flyrcado™ Cardiac PET/CT MPI offers significant clinical and logistical advantages:
- Higher image quality and clearer detection of CAD
- Increased diagnostic accuracy across all patient types, including women and individuals with high BMI
- Reduced need for re-scans—its longer half-life allows repeat imaging within the same visit if necessary
When Is a PET MPI Scan Recommended?
Your physician may recommend PET MPI with Flyrcado™ if you:
- Have symptoms such as chest pain or shortness of breath
- Have known or suspected coronary artery disease
- Need better image clarity due to body habitus or prior inconclusive imaging
- Are being evaluated for ischemia or cardiac risk pre-surgery
Flyrcado™ is particularly effective for patients who benefit from higher-resolution imaging and advanced stress testing—offering physicians more confidence in diagnosing and managing CAD.
Why Choose Tower Saint John’s Imaging?
We’re proud to have participated in the second phase III clinical trial and to now be the first facility in the Western United States to commercially offer Flyrcado for outpatient clinical use. Our facility is equipped with a modern PET/CT scanner and interpreted by board-certified radiologists with subspecialty training in cardiovascular imaging. We are committed to delivering accurate, timely results while ensuring your comfort and safety throughout the process.
Flyrcado™ PET MPI Exam Los Angeles, Santa Monica, CA
Tower Saint John’s Imaging
2202 Wilshire Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90403
Telephone: 310.264.9000
