Noninvasive detection of programmed cell loss with 99mTc-labeled annexin A5 in heart failure.

Unlabelled: Apoptosis, or programmed cell death (PCD), contributes to the decline in ventricular function in heart failure. Because apoptosis comprises a programmed cascade of events, it is potentially reversible, and timely intervention should delay the development of cardiomyopathy. (99m)Tc-Labeled annexin A5 has successfully been used for the noninvasive detection of PCD in myocardial infarction and heart transplant rejection.

Past, present, and future of annexin A5: from protein discovery to clinical applications.

In this article, we review the clinical aspects of imaging with the programmed cell-detecting protein annexin A5 (anxA5). AnxA5 binds to phosphatidylserine, which is one of the "eat me" signals at the surface of the apoptotic cell. This biologic property forms the basis for the development of anxA5 as a diagnostic tool.

Association of small fiber neuropathy with cardiac sympathetic dysfunction in sarcoidosis.

Background And Aim: Recently we found that small fiber neuropathy (SFN) occurs frequently in sarcoidosis. Autonomic dysfunction may be a feature of SFN. Since cardiac autonomic dysfunction has been identified as a strong predictor of morbidity and mortality, recognition of cardiac autonomic involvement is of clinical relevance.

The ApoCorrect assay: a novel, rapid method to determine the biological functionality of radiolabeled and fluorescent Annexin A5.

We have demonstrated that imaging of programmed cell death (PCD) in patients is possible using 99mTc-Annexin A5. Because of the short half-life of the technetium label it is important to limit the time span between the preparation of 99mTc-Annexin A5 and its administration into the patient. Therefore methods of quality control that determine the biological active fraction in the 99mTc-Annexin A5 should be not only accurate and precise but also rapid.