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Updated: Aug 6, 2026
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High-Resolution Cardiac Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography for Small Animals
Published on: December 16, 2022
Cardiovascular Imaging with Total Body PET
Laura E Clark1, Aidan Morgan1, Craig Balmforth1
1BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
The British Journal of Radiology
|July 24, 2026
Summary
Total-body Positron Emission Tomography (PET) offers advanced cardiovascular imaging. This technology enhances molecular insights into cardiovascular disease and multi-organ interactions, potentially improving patient treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Molecular Imaging
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease is a major global health concern.
- Conventional Positron Emission Tomography (PET) provides molecular insights but has limitations.
- Short axial field-of-view (SAFOV) PET restricts comprehensive cardiovascular and multi-organ assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current applications of PET in cardiovascular disease.
- To explore the potential of total-body PET systems in cardiovascular research.
- To elucidate how advanced PET imaging can enhance understanding and treatment of cardiovascular pathologies.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on PET imaging in cardiovascular disease.
- Discussion of advancements in total-body PET technology, including long axial field-of-view (LAFOV) scanners.
- Postulation of future research directions integrating total-body PET for multi-organ network analysis.
Main Results:
- Conventional PET offers valuable molecular insights into cardiac pathologies.
- Total-body PET systems significantly improve sensitivity and reduce radiation dose and scan times.
- LAFOV scanners enable simultaneous, whole-body imaging for assessing cardiovascular and multi-organ interactions.
Conclusions:
- Total-body PET represents a paradigm shift in cardiovascular molecular imaging.
- This technology facilitates a systems-level understanding of cardiovascular disease by analyzing organ interactions.
- Future integration of total-body PET promises enhanced mechanistic insights and novel therapeutic strategies for cardiovascular conditions.
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