title: FDG-PET is an effective imaging modality to detect and quantify age-related atherosclerosis in large arteries.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The main aim of this research was to determine the changes of FDG uptake in large arteries with aging as visualized by FDG-PET imaging.
  
  
  METHODS
  We examined the presence of arterial FDG uptake in 149 subjects (61 males, 88 females; age range 5-83 years) who underwent whole-body PET scans for the assessment of non-cardiovascular disorders. The subjects were divided into eight age decade groups, with at least 12 subjects in each group. The presence of FDG uptake was recorded in the ascending, arch, descending thoracic and abdominal segments of the aorta, as well as in iliac and femoral arteries. We then calculated the percentage of segments with visible FDG uptake for each age group. Mean SUVs were calculated for each of the arterial segments and compared among the age groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 149 subjects, 145 were noted to have visible uptake in at least one segment of the large vessels. Percentage of segments with visible FDG uptake increased with age (p < 0.01). Mean SUVs of the ascending aorta, aortic arch, descending thoracic aorta, iliac arteries and femoral arteries increased with age (p < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prevalence and intensity of FDG uptake in large arteries generally increases with aging. Increased FDG uptake likely represents the presence of active inflammatory process of atherosclerotic plaque. The magnitude of inflammation within the wall of the large arteries increases with aging.
authors.affiliation: Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
authors.forename: Gonca G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Bural
authors.forename: Drew A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Torigian
authors.forename: Wichana
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chamroonrat
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Houseni
authors.forename: Wengen
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Sandip
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Basu
authors.forename: Rakesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Abass
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alavi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism*; D001158:Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
chemical_list: D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18