Future perspectives and conclusions

Non-invasive imaging techniques are increasingly important in patient management in cardiology. Of these techniques, myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) is an established, sensitive and well-validated test for both acute and chronic coronary artery disease (CAD), which can provide important prognostic and diagnostic information. Myocardial perfusion imaging results in cost-effective risk stratification of patients with chronic stable CAD. There is a growing need to recognize the advantages of MPI and accordingly increase availability and utilization of the test. Cardiologists and nuclear medicine physicians need to collaborate closely to fully exploit the clinical potential of MPI.