title: Molecular imaging of the atherosclerotic plaque using positron emission tomography.
abstract: Accurately assessing an individual's risk of myocardial infarction or stroke using currently available risk stratification tools remains a challenge, even in patients with symptomatic disease. Inflammation, micro-calcification and intra-plaque angiogenesis occur during the development and ultimate rupture of vulnerable plaques. Molecular imaging techniques such as combined positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET/CT) offer the opportunity to target these key cellular processes within atheroma and identify high-risk lesions. In this review we will set out the studies that have demonstrated the feasibility of PET/CT imaging in assessing atherosclerotic plaque inflammation, micro-calcification and angiogenesis. We will also discuss the potential of PET/CT molecular imaging as both a screening tool for novel therapeutic interventions and as a means of improving cardiovascular risk stratification.
authors.affiliation: DE Newby British Heart Foundation/University Centre for Cardiovascular Science University of Edinburgh Chancellor's Building 49 Little France Crescent Edinburgh EH16 4SB. Email d.e.newby@ed.ac.uk.
authors.forename: I S
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Toor
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Dweck
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Newby
mesh_terms: D005462:Fluorine Radioisotopes; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006801:Humans; D057054:Molecular Imaging; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000175:diagnosis*; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D012969:Sodium Fluoride; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D005462:Fluorine Radioisotopes; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D012969:Sodium Fluoride
keywords: angiogenesis; inflammation; micro-calcification positron emission tomography; vulnerable plaque