How international atomic energy agency can support the management of ischemic heart disease in women

Abstract Background/Introduction Cardiovascular diseases constitute the main cause of death in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), with ischemic heart disease (IHD) as the principal cause in most countries. This is particularly complex in women due to the peculiarities of the clinical picture and their specific risk factors. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) supports regional projects with the aim of spreading the adequate use of medical imaging modalities and contributing to capacity building. Purpose To contribute to achieve an early diagnosis and an adequate risk stratification of IHD in Latin American women. Methods IAEA supported a regional project (2022-2023, 15 countries) in LAC. Regional courses were implemented and diagnostic units using imaging multimodality were established. Results Human resources capacities strengthened on the use of nuclear techniques, imaging multimodality, and their benefits in the management of IHD in LAC women. Three regional courses were implemented, with 144 professionals trained on. In addition, two courses (on multimodality and cardiac PET) will be presented in the IAEA Human Health Campus for free access, as well as 5 expert missions to help developing cardiac medical imaging. Multimodality imaging techniques available in Cardiology (with emphasis on Nuclear Cardiology and hybrid imaging) applied in the management of IHD in LAC women. At the end of the project, two centres of diagnosis of IHD in women with the utilization of nuclear techniques in a multimodality imaging approach were established in each country. In addition, the regional network for dissemination of results, exchange of experiences, discussion of clinical cases, and virtual short courses on multimodality was implemented and is running. Three publications on the epidemiological situation, technical and human resources available in LAC, and a consensus document adapted to the region on the utilization of multimodality in the management of IHD in women were completed. Conclusion The support of international organizations as IAEA contributes to the capacity building and a better management of cardiovascular disease in LAC.