Molecular imaging of coronary inflammation

Trends Cardiovasc Med. 2019 May;29(4):191-197. doi: 10.1016/j.tcm.2018.08.004. Epub 2018 Aug 10.

Abstract

Coronary inflammation is related to atherosclerotic disease and, less frequently, systemic vasculitis. Regardless of the etiology, coronary inflammation is associated with adverse cardiac events. Molecular imaging with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET/CT) allows in vivo assessment of coronary inflammation and evaluation of response to therapy. The aim of this review is to give an update on the recent development of FDG-PET/CT, discuss the potential roles of coronary inflammation imaging, review the limitations of FDG-PET/CT imaging, and give an overview of the new tracers available for PET/CT plaque imaging.

Keywords: (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG); Coronary inflammation; Positron emission tomography; Vasculitis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Clinical Decision-Making
  • Coronary Artery Disease / diagnostic imaging*
  • Coronary Artery Disease / pathology
  • Coronary Artery Disease / therapy
  • Coronary Vessels / diagnostic imaging*
  • Coronary Vessels / pathology
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / diagnostic imaging*
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Inflammation / therapy
  • Molecular Imaging / methods*
  • Plaque, Atherosclerotic
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography*
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Prognosis
  • Radiopharmaceuticals / administration & dosage
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18