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Updated: May 11, 2026

Quantification of Atherosclerotic Plaque Activity and Vascular Inflammation using [18-F] Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (FDG-PET/CT)
10:02

Quantification of Atherosclerotic Plaque Activity and Vascular Inflammation using [18-F] Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (FDG-PET/CT)

Published on: May 2, 2012

Identification of inflamed aortic plaque in conventional fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography myocardial

Yingwei Liu1, Nina Ghosh, Girish Dwivedi

  • 1Division of Cardiology, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

The Canadian Journal of Cardiology
|May 14, 2013
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Routine cardiac (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) scans can detect inflamed aortic plaque in patients with severe coronary artery disease. This feasibility study shows uptake in 77% of patients, with aggressive risk factor modification potentially lowering high uptake rates.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Imaging
  • Nuclear Medicine
  • Atherosclerosis Research

Background:

  • (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) is established for identifying arterial inflammation.
  • Cardiac FDG-PET viability studies are routinely performed in patients with severe coronary artery disease and left ventricular dysfunction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the feasibility of detecting inflamed atherosclerotic plaque in the aorta using standard cardiac FDG-PET viability scans.
  • To assess FDG uptake in the thoracic aorta in patients undergoing myocardial viability assessment.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 103 clinically indicated myocardial viability scans (FDG-PET/CT).
  • FDG uptake in the thoracic aorta was quantified using target-to-background ratio (TBR).
  • Aortic uptake was graded based on peak and mean TBR values.

Main Results:

  • 77% of patients (79/103) showed increased FDG uptake in the aorta (mean TBR grade 1-3).
  • 12% of patients (12/103) exhibited grade 3 aortic uptake based on peak TBR.
  • The study population had a high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and treatments (e.g., statins, ACE inhibitors).

Conclusions:

  • Conventional FDG viability scans are feasible for detecting inflamed atherosclerotic plaque in the aorta.
  • The observed low rate of very high aortic FDG uptake may be attributed to effective secondary risk factor management.
  • These findings suggest a potential role for routine cardiac PET scans in assessing aortic inflammation in specific patient cohorts.

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