FDG-PET/CT and PET/MR in Cardiovascular Diseases

Abstract

This book is a clinically oriented, up-to-date, and in-depth review of the various applications of FDG-PET/CT and PET/MR in cardiovascular diseases with emphasis on the current available evidence. Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) has seen increased applications in cardiovascular diseases over the last decades. Its utility is already established in a wide range of conditions, including myocardial viability imaging, assessment of inflammatory diseases such as sarcoidosis and vasculitis, as well as imaging of infectious processes, such as infective endocarditis and cardiac implantable electronic device infection. In addition, there are several emerging indications such as the imaging of left ventricular assisting device infection and native valve endocarditis as well as new applications under investigation. The first section of the book reviews the technical basis of cardiovascular PET/CT and PET/MR imaging as well as cardiac metabolism. The following chapters each present specific pathologies, presenting epidemiology, pathophysiology, and diagnostic strategies, along with high quality clinical cases to support the discussion. The final chapter is a review of 15 interesting and clinically relevant cases. This is an ideal guide for nuclear medicine physicians, cardiologists, radiologists, residents, post-graduate fellows, and technologists.