Talk by Clemens Spielvogel, PhD (Medical University of Vienna, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Division of Nuclear Medicine, Computational Nuclear Medicine Group)

Medical imaging has been at the forefront of medical disciplines benefiting from recent advances in computational approaches. With more than 220 artificial intelligence (AI)-based medical devices approved and more than 100,000 related insurance claims in the last five years for the US alone, AI is at the forefront of this revolution.

Nuclear medicine is a rapidly evolving field within medical imaging. However, its distinctive characteristics have meant that it has yet to harness the potential of AI to its full extent. This presents a unique opportunity for growth, with AI offering the potential to substantially enhance diagnostic capabilities, treatment regimens, and patient outcomes through its application in nuclear medicine.

This talk will provide a brief introduction to nuclear medicine, highlight how computational tools are and may be used in the field, and discuss the associated challenges and opportunities. A particular focus will be the application of AI in the clinical management of patients with cardiac amyloidosis, a progressive and potentially fatal heart disease for which the first effective treatments have recently become available. Accurate detection of affected patients is now more critical than ever, as early intervention can significantly improve outcomes and guide personalized treatment strategies.