title: Association of vascular fluoride uptake with vascular calcification and coronary artery disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The feasibility of a fluoride positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scan for imaging atherosclerosis has not been well documented. The purpose of this study was to assess fluoride uptake of vascular calcification in various major arteries, including coronary arteries.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively reviewed the imaging data and cardiovascular history of 61 patients who received whole-body sodium [¹⁸F]fluoride PET/CT studies at our institution from 2009 to 2010. Fluoride uptake and calcification in major arteries, including coronary arteries, were analyzed by both visual assessment and standardized uptake value measurement.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fluoride uptake in vascular walls was demonstrated in 361 sites of 54 (96%) patients, whereas calcification was observed in 317 sites of 49 (88%) patients. Significant correlation between fluoride uptake and calcification was observed in most of the arterial walls, except in those of the abdominal aorta. Fluoride uptake in coronary arteries was demonstrated in 28 (46%) patients and coronary calcifications were observed in 34 (56%) patients. There was significant correlation between history of cardiovascular events and presence of fluoride uptake in coronary arteries. The coronary fluoride uptake value in patients with cardiovascular events was significantly higher than in patients without cardiovascular events.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  sodium [¹⁸F]fluoride PET/CT might be useful in the evaluation of the atherosclerotic process in major arteries, including coronary arteries. An increased fluoride uptake in coronary arteries may be associated with an increased cardiovascular risk.
authors.affiliation: VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, California 90073, USA.
authors.forename: Yuxin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Gholam R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Berenji
authors.forename: Wisam F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Shaba
authors.forename: Bashir
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tafti
authors.forename: Ella
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Yevdayev
authors.forename: Simin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dadparvar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005462:Fluorine Radioisotopes; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D064847:Multimodal Imaging / Q000379:methods; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012969:Sodium Fluoride; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D061205:Vascular Calcification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
chemical_list: D005462:Fluorine Radioisotopes; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D012969:Sodium Fluoride