USHV Chief Physician Executive Rick Snyder, MD, FACC, serves as president of the national coalition
Franklin Tenn. — [September 15, 2026] — US Heart & Vascular (USHV), a national network of leading independent cardiovascular practices, announced its support for the Cardiac PET Alliance, a physician-led coalition working to educate patients, physicians and policymakers while protecting access to cardiac positron emission tomography (PET).
USHV and each of its affiliated practices are members of the Alliance, extending the coalition’s reach across independent cardiovascular practices and the communities they serve from Arizona to Atlanta.
Cardiac PET is a noninvasive imaging test that provides detailed information about blood flow through the heart. By producing clearer images and measuring myocardial blood flow, cardiac PET can help physicians identify coronary artery disease, including disease affecting the heart’s smallest blood vessels, that may be difficult to detect through other noninvasive tests.
Simply put, cardiac PET allows cardiologists to see more, learn more and make a more informed diagnosis. For the right patient, that information can help guide a more personalized treatment plan and potentially reduce the need for unnecessary invasive procedures.
“Patient-first innovation is not about adopting technology simply because it is new. It is about giving physicians better information so they can make the right decisions for each patient,” said Robbie Allen, Chief Executive Officer of US Heart & Vascular and a member of the Cardiac PET Alliance’s national leadership. “Supporting the Alliance reflects our commitment to expanding access to advanced cardiovascular care while preserving the independent, community-based practices patients know and trust.”
Rick W. Snyder, MD, FACC, Chief Physician Executive of USHV and President of HeartPlace in Dallas Fort Worth, serves as president of the Cardiac PET Alliance. A nationally recognized advocate for physician-led, independent medicine, Dr. Snyder is helping lead the coalition’s efforts to increase understanding of cardiac PET and ensure that patients who may benefit from the technology can continue to access it.
“Our mission is simple: protect patient access to this proven technology so physicians can continue delivering the highest standard of cardiovascular care,” Dr. Snyder said.
The Cardiac PET Alliance represents more than 1,200 cardiologists and 101 cardiovascular group practices operating across 24 states. Its members collectively perform more than 400,000 cardiac PET studies each year.
The coalition is also drawing attention to disparities in access to advanced cardiac imaging. Disease affecting the heart’s smallest blood vessels can be particularly difficult to diagnose and disproportionately affects women and Black patients. Patients in rural and underserved communities may also face significant travel and access barriers when advanced imaging is available only through large hospital systems.
“Independent cardiovascular practices are essential to bringing advanced diagnostics closer to where patients live,” Dr. Snyder said. “When physicians have access to the best available information, we can diagnose disease more accurately, choose care more thoughtfully and help patients avoid delays in getting the answers they need.”
Through its participation in the Cardiac PET Alliance, USHV will support physician and patient education, clinical advocacy and continued access to cardiac PET within community-based cardiovascular care.
To learn more about the Cardiac PET Alliance, visit CardiacPETAlliance.com.
About US Heart & Vascular
US Heart & Vascular is a national provider of support services to independent cardiovascular physician practices. Through operational resources, technology, clinical collaboration and access to capital, USHV helps physicians preserve their independence while expanding access to high-quality heart and vascular care. Its growing platform brings together leading cardiovascular practices committed to physician-led governance, patient-first innovation and improving the health of the communities they serve. Learn more at USHeartandVascular.com.
About the Cardiac PET Alliance
The Cardiac PET Alliance is a coalition of cardiologists, imaging specialists, healthcare leaders and patients committed to protecting access to advanced cardiac PET imaging. Through education, clinical leadership and advocacy, the Alliance works to ensure that every patient who may benefit from cardiac PET can access this important diagnostic technology, regardless of where they live or who they are. Learn more at CardiacPETAlliance.com.