High‐resolution positron emission tomography/computed tomography imaging of the mouse heart

Abstract

New Findings r What is the topic of this review?To discuss the mouse models of myocardial ischaemia and infarction and the applications of dedicated hybrid positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) systems technology for small laboratory animals, including radiotracers and image postprocessing.

Measurement Science in the Circulatory System

“…PET is regarded as the gold standard technique for non-invasively quantifying myocardial blood flow and has been well validated in animal models of heart function following both reperfused and non-reperfused myocardial infarction (12), as well as in humans at rest and during hyperemia induced by bipyridamole stress (13). Quantification of myocardial blood flow and perfusion is essential in assessing myocardial infarction.…”

Advancing our understanding of the pathophysiology of cardiac disease using in vivo assessment of heart structure and function in rodent models

“…The latter refers to the talks after the break included discussion of the challenges of imaging mice after myocardial infarction. This theme was continued by Adelaide Greco (Naples), who showed that positron emission tomography, now available for preclinical imaging, can provide an effective means of assessing infarct size, particularly when combined with computed tomography. Gillian Gray (Edinburgh) demonstrated that fluorescence molecular tomography now permits interrogation of inflammatory processes in vivo during infarct healing, adding to the structural and functional information gained from magnetic resonance imaging and high‐resolution ultrasound.…”

Multiparametric Evaluation of Post-MI Small Animal Models Using Metabolic ([18F]FDG) and Perfusion-Based (SYN1) Heart Viability Tracers

“…There are several types of isotope-based PET/CT contrast agents currently used in the clinics. This includes isotopes of 82 Rb, 15 O, and 13 N with half-life times of 75 s, 2 min, and 10 min, respectively [4].…”

“…The mentioned half-time and photon energy provide lab technicians with a detailed timing of experiments compared to the other used isotopes. In addition, the easy availability of fluorine-18 from cyclotrons reduces the need for advanced devices onsite, as a much longer half-life allows the distribution of the isotope or ready-made compounds to distances from the cyclotron research and medical units, while the aforementioned 82 Rb requires the purchase of expensive 82 Sr/ 82 Rb generators, and with 15 O and 13 N availability of the cyclotron on site [6].…”

“…The SYN1 tracer has several advantages when compared to other clinically used compounds, including the half-life of the radioisotope ( 18 F) ensuring stable signal and safety to the patients when compared with other isotopes in use (incl. 201 Tl, 82 Rb, 13 N) [8][9][10][11]. SYN1 combines a reasonable half-life of 110 min and the positrons of the lowest energy.…”