Cardiac PET Alliance Launches to Protect Patient Access to the Nation's Most Advanced Non-Invasive Cardiac Imaging Technology

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Sep 09, 2026, 09:53 ET

National coalition represents more than 1,200 cardiologists, 101 cardiovascular practices serving over 4 million patients annually

WASHINGTON, Sept. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Cardiac PET Alliance today announced its formal launch as the nation's only physician-led organization dedicated exclusively to advancing cardiac positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, protecting patient access, and educating policymakers, physicians and patients about the critical role cardiac PET plays in detecting and diagnosing heart disease, which is the #1 cause of death among Americans, both men and women.

Representing more than 1,200 cardiologists across 101 cardiovascular group practices operating out of 24 states, the Alliance encompasses the vast majority of cardiac PET providers in the United States and supports practices performing more than 400,000 cardiac PET studies annually. The Alliance was established to ensure patients continue to have access to the most accurate non-invasive diagnostic imaging available for various forms of cardiovascular conditions including coronary artery disease and coronary microvascular dysfunction.

The announcement comes ahead of the Alliance's upcoming meetings with key members of Congress, this Fall in Washington, D.C., where Alliance leaders will discuss the importance of preserving access to cardiac PET imaging, particularly for underserved and vulnerable populations.

"Cardiac PET represents one of the most important advances in cardiovascular imaging," said Tim Attebery, Executive Director of the Cardiac PET Alliance. "Our Alliance was created to ensure that every patient who can benefit from this technology continues to have easy access regardless of where they live or who they are. By bringing together physician leaders from across the country, we are creating a unified voice to educate policymakers and protect access to this essential diagnostic tool as we continue to do everything possible to reduce mortality and morbidity of cardiovascular disease in the U.S."

The American College of Cardiology, American Heart Association, American Society of Nuclear Cardiology, Association of Black Cardiologists, and the European Society of Cardiology recognize cardiac PET as the preferred nuclear stress test for the detection and evaluation of coronary artery disease. In addition, many experts recognize cardiac PET as the superior and most studied non-invasive test for the identification and quantification of coronary microvascular dysfunction, a condition which disproportionately affects women and Blacks.

"Every day, cardiologists and radiologists rely on cardiac PET to provide the most accurate diagnostic information possible while helping patients avoid unnecessary invasive procedures," said Rick W. Snyder, MD, FACC, President of the Cardiac PET Alliance. "Our mission is simple: protect patient access to this proven technology so physicians can continue delivering the highest standard of cardiovascular care."

Research has demonstrated that patients managed with cardiac PET undergo more than 50% fewer invasive coronary procedures, resulting in approximately 30% lower total costs of care without increasing cardiac death or heart attack rates.

The Alliance also emphasizes the important role cardiac PET plays in addressing healthcare disparities. Women with coronary microvascular disease are frequently misdiagnosed because many conventional non-invasive imaging tests cannot detect small vessel disease, and for women, heart disease deaths are higher than the next four causes of death combined. Black patients experience higher rates of coronary microvascular disease and cardiovascular mortality, while rural communities often have limited access to advanced cardiac imaging. Mobile cardiac PET services help bring this technology to patients who might otherwise travel for hours or forgo testing altogether.

The Cardiac PET Alliance collaborates with the American College of Cardiology (ACC), MedAxiom, the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC), and the Association of Black Cardiologists, among other organizations, to advance education, research and advocacy surrounding cardiac PET imaging. Additional scientific evidence, physician resources and patient information are available at www.CardiacPETAlliance.com or www.CardiacPETSavesLives.com.

Launch Members Include:

About the Cardiac PET Alliance

The Cardiac PET Alliance is a national coalition of physician-led cardiovascular organizations and imaging centers dedicated exclusively to advancing cardiac PET imaging and protecting patient access to this critical diagnostic technology. Representing more than 1,200 cardiologists across 101+ cardiovascular practices, Alliance members perform more than 400,000 cardiac PET studies annually and represent the majority of cardiac PET operations in the United States. The Alliance works to educate policymakers, physicians, patients and healthcare leaders about the unique clinical, value of cardiac PET, while collaborating with organizations including the American College of Cardiology, MedAxiom, the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology and the Association of Black Cardiologists. To learn more, visit www.CardiacPETAlliance.com.

SOURCE Cardiac PET Alliance