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European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
Published in: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging 3/2008

01-03-2008 | Original article

FDG-PET is an effective imaging modality to detect and quantify age-related atherosclerosis in large arteries

Authors: Gonca G. Bural, Drew A. Torigian, Wichana Chamroonrat, Mohamed Houseni, Wengen Chen, Sandip Basu, Rakesh Kumar, Abass Alavi

Published in: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging | Issue 3/2008

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Abstract

Purpose

The main aim of this research was to determine the changes of FDG uptake in large arteries with aging as visualized by FDG-PET imaging.

Methods

We examined the presence of arterial FDG uptake in 149 subjects (61 males, 88 females; age range 5–83 years) who underwent whole-body PET scans for the assessment of non-cardiovascular disorders. The subjects were divided into eight age decade groups, with at least 12 subjects in each group. The presence of FDG uptake was recorded in the ascending, arch, descending thoracic and abdominal segments of the aorta, as well as in iliac and femoral arteries. We then calculated the percentage of segments with visible FDG uptake for each age group. Mean SUVs were calculated for each of the arterial segments and compared among the age groups.

Results

Among 149 subjects, 145 were noted to have visible uptake in at least one segment of the large vessels. Percentage of segments with visible FDG uptake increased with age (p < 0.01). Mean SUVs of the ascending aorta, aortic arch, descending thoracic aorta, iliac arteries and femoral arteries increased with age (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Prevalence and intensity of FDG uptake in large arteries generally increases with aging. Increased FDG uptake likely represents the presence of active inflammatory process of atherosclerotic plaque. The magnitude of inflammation within the wall of the large arteries increases with aging.
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Metadata
Title
FDG-PET is an effective imaging modality to detect and quantify age-related atherosclerosis in large arteries
Authors
Gonca G. Bural
Drew A. Torigian
Wichana Chamroonrat
Mohamed Houseni
Wengen Chen
Sandip Basu
Rakesh Kumar
Abass Alavi
Publication date
01-03-2008
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging / Issue 3/2008
Print ISSN: 1619-7070
Electronic ISSN: 1619-7089
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00259-007-0528-9

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