FDG-Accumulating Atherosclerotic Plaques Identified with super(18)F-FDG-PET/CT in 141 Patients

• Published in: Molecular imaging and biology Vol. 11; no. 6; pp. 455 - 459
• Main Authors: Wasselius, Johan A, Larsson, Stig A, Jacobsson, Hans
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.11.2009
• ISSN: 1536-1632; 1860-2002
• DOI: 10.1007/s11307-009-0223-2

Purpose: The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of atherosclerotic plaques based on [ super(18)F]-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) in a large population characterized by high risk of cardiovascular disease. Procedures: One hundred forty-one patients referred to our department for FDG-PET/CT for suspected lung cancer were re-evaluated for atherosclerotic lesions. Cardiovascular risk factors were analyzed based on patient records. Results: Forty-two percent of the patients had three cardiovascular risk factors or more. Nine percent of all plaques were assessed as active FDG-accumulating plaques, 88% were inactive calcified plaques, and 2% were mixed. The abdominal aorta was the vessel with the highest plaque count. Patients with one risk factor had significantly less active and inactive plaques. Conclusions: The observed association between the numbers of cardiovascular risk factors and the numbers of FDG-accumulating plaques as well as calcified plaques further supports the validity and value of FDG-PET/CT in the non-invasive identification and characterization of atherosclerotic disease.