Dual-Tracer Positron-Emission Tomography for Identification of Culprit Carotid Plaques and Pathophysiology In Vivo.

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Inflammation and microcalcification are interrelated processes contributing to atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability. Positron-emission tomography can quantify these processes in vivo. This study investigates (1) 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and 18F-sodium fluoride (NaF) uptake in culprit versus nonculprit carotid atheroma, (2) spatial distributions of uptake, and (3) how macrocalcification affects this relationship. METHODS: Individuals with acute ischemic stroke with ipsilateral carotid stenosis of ≥50% underwent FDG-positron-emission tomography and NaF-positron-emission tomography. Tracer uptake was quantified using maximum tissue-to-background ratios (TBRmax) and macrocalcification quantified using Agatston scoring. RESULTS: In 26 individuals, median most diseased segment TBRmax (interquartile range) was higher in culprit than in nonculprit atheroma for both FDG (2.08 [0.52] versus 1.89 [0.40]; P