Published in:
01-10-2013 | Invited Commentary
Cardiovascular PET/MR: Potential Role and Challenges
Published in: Current Cardiovascular Imaging Reports | Issue 5/2013
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Recently combined PET/MR hybrid systems have been introduced for human imaging. The technology is based on the premise that combining the relative strengths of the two approaches (Table 1) will result in improved patient management either through better performance of current clinical applications or perhaps the introduction of new applications. In depth summaries on the technical aspects of these systems have been reviewed elsewhere [1, 2]. However in these challenging medical economics times, legitimate questions arise as to whether there is a cardiovascular (CV) role for PET/MR and if so, what is pathway to clinical implementation? Described below are a few thoughts in support of such a role for CV PET/MR and on the challenges in performing it and moving it the clinic.
Table 1
Relative strengths and weaknesses of PET and MR
|
PET
|
MR
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Sensitivity
|
10-11-10-12 mol/L
|
10-3-10-5 mol/L
|
|
Spatial resolution
|
1-2 mm
|
50-250 μm
|
|
Temporal resolution
|
Modest
|
High
|
|
Characterization of anatomy & function
|
Yes but limited
|
Comprehensive
|
|
Coronary angiography
|
No
|
Yes
|
|
Tissue characterization
|
Limited to PET Probes Used
|
Diverse
|
|
Whole-heart coverage
|
Yes
|
Yes but not for all applications
|
|
Need for intravenous contrast
|
No
|
Yes
|
|
Ionizing radiation exposure
|
Yes
|
No
|