18F-fluoro-deoxy-glucose positron emission tomography/computer tomography (18F-FDG-PET/CT) imaging in cardiology

Abstract

Over the past decades, 18F-FDG-PET/CT imaging has been recognized as an indispensable tool in the diagnosis, staging and treatment monitoring of cancer. This modern imaging technique combining functional and morpho-logic information has approved indications not only in oncology but in clinical cardiology as well. In the current review we discuss the specific requirements of patient preparation and image acquisition protocol for cardiac 18F-FDG-PET/CT. We review the literature in some cases highlighted by our own examinations of well-known “gold standard” viability and onco-cardiology examinations while placing special emphasis on inflammatory disorders involving the heart. This relatively newer class of indications includes prosthetic valve endocarditis, cardiac implantable device infection, myocardial inflammation of varying origin such as sarcoidosis where 18F-FDG-PET/CT appears to be particularly useful in the differential diagnosis of cases where standard investigation is non-diagnostic or equivocal.