Molecular imaging of atherosclerotic lesions by positron emission tomography - can it meet the expectations?

Molecular imaging of atherosclerotic lesions by positron emission tomography - can it meet the expectations? Vasa. 2016 Apr;45(2):125-132 Authors: Brammen L, Steiner S, Berent R, Sinzinger H Abstract Early non-invasive imaging of atherosclerosis and in particular the detection of lesions at risk with high specificity could significantly affect cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Conventional nuclear medicine approaches, in particular using autologous radiolabeled lipoproteins, can be related to histopathological findings; however, they fail to identify lesions at risk. Positron emission tomography (PET) tracers with much better physical properties have been examined, the most detailed information being available for F-18-deoxyglucose (FDG) and F-18-sodium fluoride (NaF). These two approaches are sensitive to different biochemical mechanisms, i.e. inflammation and microcalcification. Initial enthusiasm, in particular for F-18-FDG, has disappeared, although for F-18-NaF there is some hope, but this is not a breakthrough. No tracer is available so far that is able to identify a specific characteristic of a lesion prone to rupture. Other PET tracers in the pipeline have been examined, mainly in experimental models and only a few in patients, but they failed to contribute significantly to early lesion discovery and do not support great expectations. The key question is: Do we understand what we see? Moreover, methodological problems, ...
Source: VASA. Zeitschrift fur Gefasskrankheiten. Journal for Vascular Diseases - Category: Surgery Authors: Tags: Vasa Source Type: research