Nuclear Medicine Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni, 56, Rozzano, 20089, Milan, Italy.
Nuclear Medicine Unit, E. O. Ospedali Galliera, Mura delle Cappuccine, 14, 16128, Genoa, Italy.
J Nucl Cardiol. 2022 Aug;29(4):1713-1723. doi: 10.1007/s12350-021-02556-3. Epub 2021 Feb 25.
F-NaF-PET/CT can detect mineral metabolism within atherosclerotic plaques. To ascertain whether their F-NaF uptake purports progression, this index was compared with subsequent morphologic evolution.
71 patients underwent two consecutive F-NaF-PET/CTs (PET1/PET2). In PET1, non-calcified F-NaF hot spots were identified in the abdominal aorta. Their mean/max HU was compared with those of a non-calcified control region (CR) and with corresponding areas in PET2. A target-to-background ratio (TBR), mean density (HU), and calcium score (CS) were calculated on calcified atherosclerotic plaques in PET1 and compared with those in PET2. A VOI including the entire abdominal aorta was drawn; mean TBR and total CS were calculated on PET1 and compared with those PET2.
Hot spots in PET1 (N = 179) had a greater HU than CR (48 ± 8 vs 37 ± 9, P < .01). Mean hot spots HU increased to 59 ± 12 in PET2 (P < .001). New calcifications appeared at the hot spots site in 73 cases (41%). Baseline atherosclerotic plaque's (N = 375) TBR was proportional to percent HU and CS increase (P < .01 for both). Aortic CS increased (P < .001); the whole-aorta TBR in PET1 correlated with the CS increase between the baseline and the second PET/CT (R = .63, P < .01).
F-NaF-PET/CT depicts the early stages of plaques development and tracks their evolution over time.
F-NaF-PET/CT 可检测动脉粥样硬化斑块内的矿物质代谢。为了确定其 F-NaF 摄取是否预示着斑块进展，本研究将该指数与随后的形态学演变进行了比较。
71 例患者连续进行了 2 次 F-NaF-PET/CT（PET1/PET2）检查。在 PET1 中，在腹主动脉中识别出非钙化 F-NaF 热点。比较这些热点的平均/最大 HU 与非钙化对照区（CR）和 PET2 中相应区域的 HU。计算钙化动脉粥样硬化斑块在 PET1 和 PET2 上的靶/背景比（TBR）、平均密度（HU）和钙评分（CS）。在 PET1 上绘制包含整个腹主动脉的 VOI，计算平均 TBR 和总 CS，并与 PET2 进行比较。
PET1 中的热点（N=179）的 HU 高于 CR（48±8 比 37±9，P<.01）。在 PET2 中，平均热点 HU 增加到 59±12（P<.001）。73 例（41%）在热点部位出现新的钙化。基线动脉粥样硬化斑块（N=375）的 TBR 与 HU 和 CS 的增加呈比例（两者均 P<.01）。主动脉 CS 增加（P<.001）；PET1 中的全主动脉 TBR 与基线和第二次 PET/CT 之间的 CS 增加相关（R=0.63，P<.01）。
F-NaF-PET/CT 描绘了斑块发展的早期阶段，并可随时间跟踪其演变。
