It is the mark of an instructed mind to rest satisfied with the degree
of precision which the nature of the subject admits, and not to seek
exactness where only an approximation of the truth is possible.
Aristotle With the development of imaging techniques, the in vivo study
of human anatomy and physiology has become possible with increasing
"approximation of the truth. " Advances have been made not only in data
acquisition, but also in processing as well as visualization of
functional and morphological data. Following the successful application
of planar two-dimensional imaging approaches, more recently
three-dimensional data acquisition and correspond- ing tomographic image
reconstruction has become possible. With the rapid growth of computer
support, advanced processing allows for user-friendly interaction with
complex data sets. Classical x-ray imaging techniques have matured to
excellent spatial resolution and contrast, which provide specific
delineation of anatomical changes occurring in cardiovascular disease.
In parallel, the use of tracer principles supported the successful
introduction of nuclear medicine procedures for the functional
characterization of physiology and pathophysiology. The application of
such techniques were initially limited by relatively poor spatial
resolution, but excelled in high sensitivity 30 years, scintigraphic
imaging emerged from and specificity. In the last rectilinear scanning
to planar gamma camera imaging and single-photon xvi Preface emISSIOn
tomography (SPECT). Based on these advances and the experi- mental
success of autoradiography, the potential of scintigraphy as a clinical
and research tool has been well appreciated.
