It is the mark of an instructed mind to rest satisfied with the degree of precision which the nature of the subject admits, and not to seek exactness where only an approximation of the truth is possible. Aristotle With the development of imaging techniques, the in vivo study of human anatomy and physiology has become possible with increasing "approximation of the truth. " Advances have been made not only in data acquisition, but also in processing as well as visualization of functional and morphological data. Following the successful application of planar two-dimensional imaging approaches, more recently three-dimensional data acquisition and correspond ing tomographic image reconstruction has become possible. With the rapid growth of computer support, advanced processing allows for user-friendly interaction with complex data sets. Classical x-ray imaging techniques have matured to excellent spatial resolution and contrast, which provide specific delineation of anatomical changes occurring in cardiovascular disease. In parallel, the use of tracer principles supported the successful introduction of nuclear medicine procedures for the functional characterization of physiology and pathophysiology. The application of such techniques were initially limited by relatively poor spatial resolution, but excelled in high sensitivity 30 years, scintigraphic imaging emerged from and specificity. In the last rectilinear scanning to planar gamma camera imaging and single-photon xvi Preface emISSIOn tomography (SPECT). Based on these advances and the experi mental success of autoradiography, the potential of scintigraphy as a clinical and research tool has been well appreciated.

Inhalt
I. Methodology.- 1. Trends in Instrumentation.- 2. Attenuation Correction: Practical Considerations.- 3. Radiopharmaceuticals.- 4. Utility and Limitations of [18F]2-Deoxy-2-Fluoro-D-Glucose for the Assessment of Flux Through Metabolic Pathways in Heart Muscle: A Critical Appraisal.- 5. Quantitative Evaluation of Myocardial Perfusion.- II. Myocardial Perfusion Imaging.- 6. Assessment of Myocardial Perfusion with 13N-Ammonia or 82Rb.- 7. Assessment of Myocardial Perfusion with 15O-Water.- 8. 62Cu-PTSM: A Generator-Based Radiopharmaceutical for Myocardial Perfusion Imaging.- 9. Comparison of Cost-Effectiveness of Myocardial Perfusion Imaging Versus Other Approaches: Predictions by a Model.- III. Assessment of Tissue Viability.- 10. Assessment of Blood Flow and Substrate Metabolism in the Myocardium of the Normal Human Heart.- 11. Comparison of SPECT and PET for Assessment of Tissue Viability.- 12. 11C-Acetate in the Study of Ischemic Heart Disease.- 13. Assessment of Myocardial Viability using 15O-Water.- 14. Myocardial 82Rb Kinetics Identify Cell Membrane Integrity and Tissue Viability.- 15. Imaging Hypoxic Myocardium.- IV. Other Applications.- 16. Quantification of Myocardial Oxygen Consumption using 11C-Acetate.- 17. Applications in Nonischemic Heart Disease and Heart Failure.- 18. Use of PET Radiopharmaceuticals to Probe Cardiac Receptors.- V. Appendix.- 19. Clinical PET Protocols.