Abstract 13422: Molecular Imaging of Vascular and Myocardial 18F-FDG Uptake with PET/CT in Patients Early After an Acute Coronary Syndrome

Objectives: The study tested the hypothesis that the metabolic signal caused by activated macrophages allows the localization of the culprit lesion early after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) by 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT). Background: Inflammation is a key feature of vulnerable plaques, which are at high risk of rupture. Vascular inflammation can be measured noninvasively by 18F-FDG-PET. Methods: 21 patients (pts, mean age 63±13 years, 57% males) presenting with ACS (76% myocardial infarctions, 24% troponin-positive unstable angina) were studied with a hybrid imaging protocol (13-N-NH3 for perfusion and 18-F-FDG for inflammation assessment combined with a high resolution CT) early after percutaneous coronary intervention and stent implantation (7+/−4 days). A low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet the day before the study was used to suppress the normal myocardial FDG uptake. CT based vessel tracking of the proximal coronary segments including al...