Evaluation of a novel (18)F-labeled positron-emission tomography perfusion tracer for the assessment of myocardial infarct size in rats.
BACKGROUND
The goal of this study was to evaluate a new (18)F-labeled positron-emission tomography (PET) perfusion tracer, (18)F BMS747158-02, for the assessment of myocardial infarct (MI) size.


RESULTS
Wistar rats were studied 24 hours after ligation of the left coronary artery either permanently (n=15) or transiently (n=16) for 30 minutes. Seven nonoperated rats were studied as controls. The rats were injected with 37 MBq of (18)F BMS747158-02 and imaged with a small animal PET scanner for 20 minutes. Polar maps were generated for measurement of PET defect size, and left ventricular systolic and diastolic volumes were assessed in gated images. As a reference, MI size was determined by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining of left ventricular tissue samples. Permanent or transient ligation of the left coronary artery produced transmural or subendocardial MI of variable sizes, respectively. In normal rats, PET imaging demonstrated intense and homogeneous uptake of (18)F BMS747158-02 throughout the myocardium. After ligation, sharply defined perfusion defects were present. Throughout the imaging period, the defect size correlated closely with the MI size either after permanent (r=0.88; P<0.01; mean difference, 1.86%) or transient (r=0.92; P<0.01; mean difference, 2.16%) ligation of the left coronary artery. Moreover, reduction of left ventricular systolic function measured with PET correlated with the MI size (r=-0.81; P<0.01; n=23).


CONCLUSIONS
Myocardial (18)F BMS747158-02 PET imaging provides excellent image quality and uptake properties, enabling accurate evaluation of MI size and left ventricular function in rats. It is a promising technique for evaluation of MI size in clinical trials.
Sherif
Hossam M
HM
Department of Nuclear Medicine, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany. hossam_sherif_66@homail.com
Saraste
Antti
A
Weidl
Eliane
E
Weber
Axel W
AW
Higuchi
Takahiro
T
Reder
Sybille
S
Poethko
Thorsten
T
Henriksen
Gjermund
G
Casebier
David
D
Robinson
Simon
S
Wester
Hans-Jürgen
HJ
Nekolla
Stephan G
SG
Schwaiger
Markus
M
D000818:Animals; D005462:Fluorine Radioisotopes; D006321:Heart / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D055414:Myocardial Perfusion Imaging; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D011724:Pyridazines; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
C525920:BMS 747158-02; D005462:Fluorine Radioisotopes; D011724:Pyridazines; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals