From incidental positron emission uptake to in-vivo phenotyping: a short history of positron emission tomography in the study of atherosclerosis and the vulnerable plaque - Report - MDSpire
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From incidental positron emission uptake to in-vivo phenotyping: a short history of positron emission tomography in the study of atherosclerosis and the vulnerable plaque
Clinical Report: The Evolution of Positron Emission Tomography in Atherosclerosis
Background
Positron emission tomography (PET) has transitioned from a tool primarily for oncology to a significant modality for cardiovascular research, particularly in atherosclerosis. The evolution of PET imaging allows for in-vivo phenotyping of plaques.
Data Highlights
No numerical data available in the source material.
Key Findings
The initial use of 18F-FDG demonstrated its efficacy in detecting macrophage-rich inflammation in atherosclerosis.
Subsequent studies with 18F-NaF have shown its ability to detect active microcalcification and high-risk plaques.
A new generation of PET tracers has been developed targeting macrophage receptors, chemokine signaling, angiogenesis, and mitochondrial activity.
These tracers have been validated against histology in various models, including animal studies and human tissue samples.
Despite its potential, the application of PET in cardiovascular disease remains largely investigational.
Clinical Implications
Continued research and validation of these imaging techniques are necessary.
Conclusion
Ongoing research will be essential to address current limitations and enhance clinical applications.
by Retesh Bajaj, Ming Young Simon Wan, Kris Thielemans, Eren Ozan Bakır, Soe Maung, Akash Sivananthan, Tom Crake, Anthony Mathur, Ryo Torii, Andreas Baumbach, Ashley Groves, Christos V. Bourantas
