en
Scientific article
English

Potential Applications of PET/MR Imaging in Cardiology

Published inThe Journal of nuclear medicine, vol. 55, no. Supplement 2, p. 40S-46S
Publication date2014
Abstract

Recent advances in hybrid PET/MR imaging have opened new perspectives for cardiovascular applications. Although cardiac MR imaging has gained wider adoption for routine clinical applications, PET images remain the reference in many applications for which objective analysis of metabolic and physiologic parameters is needed. In particular, in cardiovascular diseases-more specifically, coronary artery disease-the use of quantitative and measurable parameters in a reproducible way is essential for the management of therapeutic decisions and patient follow-up. Functional MR images and dynamic assessment of myocardial perfusion from transit of intravascular contrast medium can provide useful criteria for identifying areas of decreased myocardial perfusion or for assessing tissue viability from late contrast enhancement of scar tissue. PET images, however, will provide more quantitative data on true tissue perfusion and metabolism. Quantitative myocardial flow can also lead to accurate assessment of coronary flow reserve. The combination of both modalities will therefore provide complementary data that can be expected to improve the accuracy and reproducibility of diagnostic procedures. But the true potential of hybrid PET/MR imaging may reside in applications beyond the domain of coronary artery disease. The combination of both modalities in assessment of other cardiac diseases such as inflammation and of other systemic diseases can also be envisioned. It is also predicted that the 2 modalities combined could help characterize atherosclerotic plaques and differentiate plaques with a high risk of rupture from stable plaques. In the future, the development of new tracers will also open new perspectives in evaluating myocardial remodeling and in assessing the kinetics of stem cell therapy in myocardial infarction. New tracers will also provide new means for evaluating alterations in cardiac innervation, angiogenesis, and even the assessment of reporter gene technologies. The fusion of 2 potentially competing modalities can certainly offer the best of each modality in a single procedure. The impact of such advanced technology in routine clinical practice will still need to be demonstrated. Beyond the expected improvement in patient management and the potential impact on patient outcome, PET/MR imaging will also need to establish its medicoeconomic justification in an era of health-care economic restrictions.

Citation (ISO format)
RATIB, Osman, NKOULOU, René. Potential Applications of PET/MR Imaging in Cardiology. In: The Journal of nuclear medicine, 2014, vol. 55, n° Supplement 2, p. 40S–46S. doi: 10.2967/jnumed.113.129262
Main files (1)
Article (Published version)
accessLevelPrivate
Identifiers
ISSN of the journal0161-5505
487views
0downloads

Technical informations

Creation11/27/2015 11:17:00 AM
First validation11/27/2015 11:17:00 AM
Update time03/14/2023 11:55:30 PM
Status update03/14/2023 11:55:30 PM
Last indexation01/16/2024 7:43:03 PM
All rights reserved by Archive ouverte UNIGE and the University of GenevaunigeBlack