Vascular uptake on 18F-sodium fluoride positron emission tomography: precursor of vascular calcification?
den Harder, Annemarie M, Wolterink, Jelmer M, Bartstra, Jonas W, Spiering, Wilko, Zwakenberg, Sabine R, Beulens, Joline W, Slart, Riemer H J A, Luurtsema, Gert, Mali, Willem P, de Jong, Pim A
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12350-020-02031-5
Journal of Nuclear Cardiology
Abstract
Background: Microcalcifications cannot be identified with the present resolution of CT; however, 18F-sodium fluoride ( 18F-NaF) positron emission tomography (PET) imaging has been proposed for non-invasive identification of microcalcification. The primary objective of this study was to assess whether 18F-NaF activity can assess the presence and predict the progression of CT detectable vascular calcification. Methods and Results: The data of two longitudinal studies in which patients received a 18F-NaF PET-CT at baseline and after 6 months or 1-year follow-up were used. The target to background ratio (TBR) was measured on PET at baseline and CT calcification was quantified in the femoral arteries at baseline and follow-up. 128 patients were included. A higher TBR at baseline was associated with higher calcification mass at baseline and calcification progression (β = 1.006 [1.005-1.007] and β = 1.002 [1.002-1.003] in the studies with 6 months and 1-year follow-up, respectively). In areas without calcification at baseline and where calcification developed at follow-up, the TBR was.11–.13 (P < .001) higher compared to areas where no calcification developed. Conclusion: The activity of 18F-NaF is related to the amount of calcification and calcification progression. In areas where calcification formation occurred, the TBR was slightly but significantly higher.