Dear AuntMinnie Member,
Imaging facilities that perform nuclear cardiology studies are running low on a key pharmaceutical that many keep on hand as a safety measure in nuclear cardiology studies.
Called aminophylline, the drug is used during nuclear cardiology stress tests to open the breathing pathways of patients with bronchial issues in case they have an adverse reaction to regadenoson, the most commonly used pharmacological stress agent. The shortage has forced many sites to turn to backup solutions, which many believe are suboptimal -- and possibly even unethical, according to a story by Features Editor Wayne Forrest in our Molecular Imaging Community.
Manufacturing issues have led to the shortage, and while regular supplies of aminophylline are expected to start flowing again in October, that's a long time for many PET and SPECT sites to wait. Learn more by clicking here, or visit our Molecular Imaging Community at molecular.auntminnie.com.
AI market primed for growth
The market for artificial intelligence (AI) software is heating up and is expected to top $2 billion in the next five years.
That's according to a new article by market research firm Signify Research that we're highlighting in our Artificial Intelligence Community. Signify managing director Simon Harris breaks down what's driving the growth in an article you can reach by clicking here.
While AI has great potential, several barriers still need to be overcome for the technology to reach its full potential. Find out what they are by visiting our Artificial Intelligence Community at ai.auntminnie.com.
Beards vs. dogs in MRI
The MRI scanning environment is fraught with potential risks to patients, but are beards one of them? A new study out of Switzerland is making headlines after researchers found that men with beards left a higher bacterial load in the scanner than dogs. Why would anyone put a dog in an MRI scanner designed for humans? Find out by clicking here, or visit our MRI Community at mri.auntminnie.com.
Minnies nominations
Finally, take a minute this weekend to nominate someone in the Minnies, AuntMinnie.com's annual contest to recognize excellence in radiology. Maybe it's a colleague whose work you admire, a scientific paper that changed the way you practice, or a product or software application that you really love. Get started at minnies.auntminnie.com.
