Radiotracers to Address Unmet Clinical Needs in Cardiovascular Imaging, Part 1: Technical Considerations and Perfusion and Neuronal Imaging

The development of new radiotracers for PET and SPECT is central to addressing unmet diagnostic needs related to systemwide trends toward molecular characterization and personalized therapies in cardiovascular medicine. In the following 2-part review, we discuss select emerging radiotracers that may help address important unmet diagnostic needs in central areas of cardiovascular medicine, such as heart failure, arrhythmias, valvular disease, atherosclerosis, and thrombosis. Part 1 examines key technical considerations pertaining to cardiovascular radiotracer development and reviews emerging radiotracers for perfusion and neuronal imaging. Highlights of this work include discussions on the development of F-18-flurpiridaz, an emerging PET perfusion tracer, and the development of F-18-based radiotracers for cardiovascular neuronal imaging, such as F-18-flubrobenguane. Part 2 of this review covers emerging radiotracers for the imaging of inflammation, fibrosis, thrombosis, calcification, and cardiac amyloidosis.

Automated summary

The development of new radiotracers is crucial in cardiovascular medicine to address unmet diagnostic needs and support personalized therapies. This review discusses emerging radiotracers for cardiovascular imaging, covering perfusion, neuronal imaging, inflammation, fibrosis, thrombosis, calcification, and cardiac amyloidosis.