Chou T, Nabavinia M, Tram NK, Rimmerman ET, Patel S, Musini KN, Eisert SN, Wolfe T, Wynveen MK, Matsuzaki Y, Kitsuka T, Iwaki R, Janse SA, Bobbey AJ, Breuer CK, Goodchild L, Malbrue R, Shinoka T, Atway SA, Go MR, Stacy MR. Quantification of Skeletal Muscle Perfusion in Peripheral Artery Disease Using
18F-Sodium Fluoride Positron Emission Tomography Imaging.
J Am Heart Assoc 2024;
13:e031823. [PMID:
38353265 PMCID:
PMC11010069 DOI:
10.1161/jaha.123.031823]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Perfusion deficits contribute to symptom severity, morbidity, and death in peripheral artery disease (PAD); however, no standard method for quantifying absolute measures of skeletal muscle perfusion exists. This study sought to preclinically test and clinically translate a positron emission tomography (PET) imaging approach using an atherosclerosis-targeted radionuclide, fluorine-18-sodium fluoride (18F-NaF), to quantify absolute perfusion in PAD.
METHODS AND RESULTS
Eight Yorkshire pigs underwent unilateral femoral artery ligation and dynamic 18F-NaF PET/computed tomography imaging on the day of and 2 weeks after occlusion. Following 2-week imaging, calf muscles were harvested to quantify microvascular density. PET methodology was validated with microspheres in 4 additional pig studies and translated to patients with PAD (n=39) to quantify differences in calf perfusion across clinical symptoms/stages and perfusion responses in a case of revascularization. Associations between PET perfusion, ankle-brachial index, toe-brachial index, and toe pressure were assessed in relation to symptoms. 18F-NaF PET/computed tomography quantified significant deficits in calf perfusion in pigs following arterial occlusion and perfusion recovery 2 weeks after occlusion that coincided with increased muscle microvascular density. Additional studies confirmed that PET-derived perfusion measures agreed with microsphere-derived perfusion measures. Translation of imaging methods demonstrated significant decreases in calf perfusion with increasing severity of PAD and quantified perfusion responses to revascularization. Perfusion measures were also significantly associated with symptom severity, whereas traditional hemodynamic measures were not.
CONCLUSIONS
18F-NaF PET imaging quantifies perfusion deficits that correspond to clinical stages of PAD and represents a novel perfusion imaging strategy that could be partnered with atherosclerosis-targeted 18F-NaF PET imaging using a single radioisotope injection.
REGISTRATION
URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT03622359.
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