F-NaF uptake on vascular PET imaging in symptomatic versus asymptomatic atherosclerotic disease: A meta-analysis.

Introduction: F-sodium fluoride (NaF) positron-emission tomography (PET) is increasingly being used to measure microcalcification in atherosclerotic disease in vivo. Correlations have been drawn between sodium fluoride uptake and the presence of high-risk plaque features, as well as its association with clinical atherosclerotic sequelae. The aim of this study was to perform a meta-analysis of NaF uptake on PET imaging and its relation to symptomatic and asymptomatic disease.

Sex differences in coronary atherosclerotic plaque activity using F-sodium fluoride positron emission tomography.

Introduction: There are sex differences in the extent, severity, and outcomes of coronary artery disease. We aimed to assess the influence of sex on coronary atherosclerotic plaque activity measured using coronary F-sodium fluoride (F-NaF) positron emission tomography (PET), and to determine whether F-NaF PET has prognostic value in both women and men.

Methods: In a post-hoc analysis of observational cohort studies of patients with coronary atherosclerosis who had undergone F-NaF PET CT angiography, we compared the coronary microcalcification activity (CMA) in women and men.

Carotid atherosclerotic plaque microcalcification is independently associated with recurrent neurovascular events: A pilot study.

Background: Microcalcification and macrocalcification are critical processes in atherosclerotic plaque progression, though how these processes relate to the risk of stroke recurrence in symptomatic carotid atherosclerosis is poorly understood.

Methods: We performed a post hoc analysis of data from the ICARUSS (Imaging Carotid Atherosclerosis in the Recovery and Understanding of Stroke Severity) study, where individuals with acute ischemic stroke originating from ipsilateral carotid stenosis of ⩾ 50% underwent F-sodium fluoride positron emission tomography (NaF-PET) to measure microcalcification. Tracer uptake was quantified using maximum tissue-to-background ratio (TBR).

Digital health: a neglected part of health curricula?

With growing government investment and a thriving consumer market, digital technologies are rapidly transforming our means of healthcare delivery. These innovations offer increased diagnostic accuracy, greater accessibility and reduced costs compared with conventional equivalents. Despite these benefits, implementing digital health poses challenges.

Positron emission tomography imaging in cardiovascular disease.

Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging is useful in cardiovascular disease across several areas, from assessment of myocardial perfusion and viability, to highlighting atherosclerotic plaque activity and measuring the extent of cardiac innervation in heart failure. Other important roles of PET have emerged in prosthetic valve endocarditis, implanted device infection, infiltrative cardiomyopathies, aortic stenosis and cardio-oncology. Advances in scanner technology, including hybrid PET/MRI and total body PET imaging, as well as the development of novel PET tracers and cardiac-specific postprocessing techniques using artificial intelligence will undoubtedly continue to progress the field.

Integrated cardiovascular assessment of atherosclerosis using PET/MRI.

Atherosclerosis is a systemic inflammatory disease typified by the development of lipid-rich atheroma (plaques), the rupture of which are a major cause of myocardial infarction and stroke. Anatomical evaluation of the plaque considering only the degree of luminal stenosis overlooks features associated with vulnerable plaques, such as high-risk morphological features or pathophysiology, and hence risks missing vulnerable or ruptured non-stenotic plaques. Consequently, there has been interest in identifying these markers of vulnerability using either MRI for morphology, or positron emission tomography (PET) for physiological processes involved in atherogenesis.

In vivo alpha-V beta-3 integrin expression in human aortic atherosclerosis.

Objectives: Intraplaque angiogenesis and inflammation are key promoters of atherosclerosis and are mediated by the alpha-V beta-3 (αβ) integrin pathway. We investigated the applicability of the αβ-integrin receptor-selective positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracer 18F-fluciclatide in assessing human aortic atherosclerosis.

Methods: Vascular 18F-fluciclatide binding was evaluated using ex vivo analysis of carotid endarterectomy samples with autoradiography and immunohistochemistry, and in vivo kinetic modelling following radiotracer administration.