Abstract
The current focus of cardiovascular medicine is on early detection and prevention of disease, to control the escalating costs of health care. To achieve this goal, novel imaging approaches that allow for early detection of disease and risk stratification are needed. Traditionally, the diagnosis, monitoring, and prognostication of cardiovascular disease were based on techniques that measured changes in metabolism, blood flow, and biological function. Molecular imaging is emerging as a new tool for the noninvasive detection of biological processes that can differentiate and characterize tissues before manifestation of gross anatomical features or physiological consequences. Leading the way are techniques involving high-sensitivity radiotracers that could revolutionize current diagnostic paradigms. This Review provides an overview of selected molecular-based single photon emission CT (SPECT) and PET imaging strategies for the evaluation of cardiovascular disease—including the evaluation of myocardial metabolism and neurohumoral activity of the heart—and potential future targeted methods of evaluating critical molecular processes, such as atherosclerosis, ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction, and ischemia-associated angiogenesis.
Key Points
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With the growth of genomics and proteomics has come a requirement for new diagnostic molecular imaging approaches that advance health care through early detection of disease processes
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Noninvasive targeted radiotracer-based SPECT and PET approaches are evolving through both preclinical imaging studies, involving transgenic animals, and advances in imaging technology
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Both SPECT and PET, as nuclear techniques, have unique advantages including high sensitivity and selectivity, which make these approaches particularly suitable for cardiovascular molecular imaging
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The introduction of hybrid SPECT–CT and PET–CT imaging systems has greatly enhanced the performance and accuracy of nuclear imaging
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The examples of targeted radiotracer imaging with SPECT and PET presented in this Review provide insight into the future of noninvasive cardiovascular imaging
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Dobrucki, L., Sinusas, A. PET and SPECT in cardiovascular molecular imaging. Nat Rev Cardiol 7, 38–47 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrcardio.2009.201
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrcardio.2009.201
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