PET/MRI of atherosclerosis

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Imaging
• Medical Physics
• Radiochemistry

Background:

• Myocardial infarction and stroke are leading global causes of death, often resulting from vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque rupture.
• Key plaque features include inflammation, a large lipid-rich necrotic core (LRNC), thin fibrous cap, and intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH).
• Noninvasive imaging of these features is crucial for risk stratification and treatment monitoring.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the application of hybrid PET/MRI for imaging atherosclerotic plaques in carotid and coronary arteries.
• To discuss the advantages and disadvantages of various hybrid PET/MRI systems.
• To explore challenges and solutions in PET/MRI development for atherosclerosis.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on hybrid PET/MRI for atherosclerotic plaque imaging.
• Analysis of PET and MRI acquisition techniques, including motion correction.
• Summary of current PET/MRI studies in patients with carotid and coronary artery disease.

Main Results:

• Hybrid PET/MRI combines MRI's soft tissue contrast with PET's molecular imaging capabilities for comprehensive plaque visualization.
• Different hybrid PET/MRI systems have varying pros and cons impacting clinical utility.
• Existing studies demonstrate the potential of PET/MRI in characterizing atherosclerotic plaques.

Conclusions:

• Hybrid PET/MRI is a promising technology for noninvasive imaging of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques.
• Further development and standardization of PET/MRI techniques are needed for widespread clinical adoption.
• This modality holds significant potential for improving risk stratification and guiding treatment for cardiovascular diseases.