Characterization of Plaques Using 18F-FDG PET/CT in Patients with Carotid Atherosclerosis and Correlation with Matrix Metalloproteinase-1

Journal of Nuclear Medicine

Yen-Wen Wu¹  Jiann-Shing Jeng¹  Bai-Chin Lee¹  Kai-Yuan Tzen¹  Ming-Fong Chen¹  Por-Jau Huang¹  Wei-Shiung Yang¹  Hsian-Li Kao¹  Ruoh-Fang Yen¹  Wen-Yih I. Tseng¹ 

关键词: atherosclerosis;    ¹⁸F-FDG;    PET;    CT;    matrix metalloproteinase-1;   

DOI  :  

学科分类：医学（综合）

来源: Society of Nuclear Medicine

【 摘 要 】

High tissue matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity has been associated with advanced atherosclerosis and plaque rupture. 18F-FDG uptake has been reported to detect inflammation. This investigation examined the vascular 18F-FDG uptake by PET/CT and its correlation with circulating MMP-1 levels. Methods: We examined 25 consecutive patients with significant carotid stenosis and 22 healthy control subjects using 18F-FDG PET/CT. The leukocyte counts, C-reactive protein (CRP), and MMP-1 were measured. Results: 18F-FDG arterial uptake, as well as calcifications, was significantly higher in extensive distributions in patients with established carotid stenosis. However, their distribution was not consistently overlapping. The values of circulating MMP-1 and leukocyte counts were significantly higher in patients with carotid stenosis (all P < 0.05). In addition, subjects with higher 18F-FDG uptake (maximum SUV > 2.0) in target lesions had higher baseline and poststenting MMP-1 levels (all P < 0.05). Conclusion: We provide a link between 18F-FDG uptake and circulating MMP-1. 18F-FDG PET/CT could be used as an adjunct to the clinical management of high-risk atherosclerosis and an in vivo tool to study plaque biology.

【 授权许可】

Unknown