Sodium [¹⁸F]-Fluoride PET can non-invasively identify calcification as a marker of atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability

Ziel/Aim (Micro-)Calcification is an established hallmark of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque formation. Given the high sensitivity and specificity of Sodium [¹⁸F]Fluoride (Na[¹⁸F]F) for vascular calcifications and positive emerging data of vitamin K on vascular health, the aim of this study is to assess the ability of Na[¹⁸F]F to monitor therapy and disease progression in a unitary atherosclerotic mouse model.

Methodik/Methods C57BL/6 ApoE^-/- mice were placed on a western type diet for 12 weeks and then split into 4 groups. The early stage atherosclerosis group received a chow diet for an additional 12 weeks, while the advanced atherosclerosis group continued the western type diet. The Menaquinone-7 (MK-7) group received a MK-7-supplementation during the additional 12 weeks, while the Warfarin, a Warfarin-and-Phylloquinone-supplemented diet. As control, C57BL/6 wild type mice were fed a chow diet for 24 weeks. All mice were scanned with Na[¹⁸F]F using a small animal PET/CT and then sacrificed for histological assessment.

Ergebnisse/Results The Warfarin group presented spotty calcifications on CT (average hottest voxel = 390HU) in the proximal aorta. All spots corresponded to dense mineralisations on von Kossa staining. After the control, the MK-7 group had the lowest Na[¹⁸F]F uptake (TBR_max control 0.06 vs. TBR_max MK-7 0.4). The advanced and Warfarin groups presented the highest uptake in the aortic arch (TBR_max 1.15 and 1.60, respectively) and left ventricle (TBR_max 1.10 and 0.76, respectively). The advanced stage group did not develop spotty calcifications, however Na[¹⁸F]F uptake was still observed, suggesting the presence of micro-calcifications.

Schlussfolgerungen/Conclusions In a newly applied mouse model developing spotty calcifications on CT exclusively in the proximal aorta ([1]), Na[¹⁸F]F can efficiently monitor plaque progression and the beneficial effects of vitamin K on cardiovascular disease.

Publication History

Article published online:
08 April 2021

• Literatur/References

• 1 Nuklearmedizin 2020; 59 (02) ): 132 DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1708256..