Molecular imaging in cardiovascular disease: Which methods, which diseases?

Jonathan R. Lindner, Albert Sinusas

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

19 Scopus citations

Abstract

Techniques for in vivo assessment of disease-related molecular changes are being developed for all forms of non-invasive cardiovascular imaging. The ability to evaluate tissue molecular or cellular phenotype in patients has the potential to not only improve diagnostic capabilities but to enhance clinical care either by detecting disease at an earlier stage when it is more amenable to therapy, or by guiding most appropriate therapies. These new techniques also can be used in research programs in order to characterize pathophysiology and as a surrogate endpoint for therapeutic efficacy. The most common approach for molecular imaging involves the creation of novel-targeted contrast agents that are designed so that their kinetic properties are different in disease tissues. The main focus of this review is not to describe all the different molecular imaging approaches that have been developed, but rather to describe the status of the field and highlight some of the clinical and research applications that molecular imaging will likely provide meaningful benefit. Specific target areas include assessment of atherosclerotic disease, tissue ischemia, and ventricular and vascular remodeling.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)990-1001
Number of pages12
JournalJournal of Nuclear Cardiology
Volume20
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2013
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Molecular imaging
  • angiogenesis
  • atherosclerosis
  • remodeling

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Molecular imaging in cardiovascular disease: Which methods, which diseases?'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this