Improving Nuclear Medicine Practices in Cardiology in the Emerging Economies: Role of the International Atomic Energy Agency

• Autor(a) principal: Dondi,Maurizio
• Data de Publicação: 2018
• Outros Autores: Pascual,Thomas, Paez,Diana
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: International Journal of Cardiovascular Sciences (Online)
• Texto Completo: http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S2359-56472018000100071
• topic: Cardiovascular Diseases/diagnostic imaging; Nuclear Medicine; Myocardium/Radionuclide Imaging; International Agencies; Nuclear Energy

Abstract Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are particularly affected by cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), as more than 75% of all CVD deaths occur in these countries. Global prognostic figures are alarming, as an estimated 23.6 million people will die each year due to CVDs by 2030. For this reason, one of the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the agenda of the United Nations (UN) aims at reducing premature mortality due to Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) by 30% by 2030. Within the UN family, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has the mandate to promote safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear technologies. The IAEA is strongly committed to accomplish the 2030 UN Agenda and through its Human Health Division, contribute to the attainment of SDGs. One of the key objectives of the Human Health Division is to support Member States to tackle the burden of CVDs through its subprogram of Nuclear Medicine and Diagnostic Imaging. This is accomplished by supporting the establishment and strengthening of capabilities of Member States to provide appropriate and safe use of nuclear cardiology clinical applications. The support ranges from assisting countries in the planning and implementation stages, providing training, maintaining and improving quality of clinical practice, establishing quality management systems and advising on how to comply with international standards, as well as using the technology in an appropriate and safe manner. This review will cover the activities of the IAEA in promoting, implementing, and supporting nuclear applications in cardiology in LMICs.