Translational Molecular Nuclear Cardiology.

Increased rollout and availability of preclinical imaging provides a foundation for development of novel molecular nuclear imaging agents. The current armamentarium of radiotracers available for nuclear cardiology allows for the interrogation of critical molecular processes involved in a myriad of cardiovascular disorders, including altered metabolism, ventricular remodeling, sympathetic neuronal activation, and systemic inflammation. Effective translational molecular imaging requires coordination of clinical need with tracer development and molecular biology, leading to the identification of ideal translational imaging compounds.