Future imaging of atherosclerosis: molecular imaging of coronary atherosclerosis with ¹⁸F positron emission tomography

dc.contributor.authorScherer, D.
dc.contributor.authorPsaltis, P.
dc.date.issued2016
dc.description.abstractAtherosclerosis is characterized by the formation of complex atheroma lesions (plaques) in arteries that pose risk by their flow-limiting nature and propensity for rupture and thrombotic occlusion. It develops in the context of disturbances to lipid metabolism and immune response, with inflammation underpinning all stages of plaque formation, progression and rupture. As the primary disease process responsible for myocardial infarction, stroke and peripheral vascular disease, atherosclerosis is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality on a global scale. A precise understanding of its pathogenic mechanisms is therefore critically important. Integral to this is the role of vascular wall imaging. Over recent years, the rapidly evolving field of molecular imaging has begun to revolutionize our ability to image beyond just the anatomical substrate of vascular disease, and more dynamically assess its pathobiology. Nuclear imaging by positron emission tomography (PET) can target specific molecular and biological pathways involved in atherosclerosis, with the application of ¹⁸Fluoride PET imaging being widely studied for its potential to identify plaques that are vulnerable or high risk. In this review, we discuss the emergence of ¹⁸Fluoride PET as a promising modality for the assessment of coronary atherosclerosis, focusing on the strengths and limitations of the two main radionuclide tracers that have been investigated to date: 2-deoxy-2-(¹⁸F)fluoro-D-glucose (¹⁸F-FDG) and sodium ¹⁸F-fluoride (¹⁸F-NaF).
dc.description.statementofresponsibilityDaniel J. Scherer, Peter J. Psaltis
dc.identifier.citationCardiovascular Diagnosis and Therapy, 2016; 6(4):354-367
dc.identifier.doi10.21037/cdt.2015.12.02
dc.identifier.issn2223-3652
dc.identifier.issn2223-3660
dc.identifier.orcidScherer, D. [0000-0002-7016-7469]
dc.identifier.orcidPsaltis, P. [0000-0003-0222-5468]
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2440/109735
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherAME Publishing Company
dc.relation.granthttp://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1086796
dc.rights© Cardiovascular Diagnosis and Therapy. All rights reserved.
dc.source.urihttps://doi.org/10.21037/cdt.2015.12.02
dc.subjectCoronary artery disease (CAD); coronary vessels; molecular imaging; positron emission tomography (PET); fluorodeoxyglucose F18; cardiac imaging techniques
dc.titleFuture imaging of atherosclerosis: molecular imaging of coronary atherosclerosis with ¹⁸F positron emission tomography
dc.title.alternativeFuture imaging of atherosclerosis: molecular imaging of coronary atherosclerosis with (18)F positron emission tomography
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.publication-statusPublished

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