This review focuses on molecular imaging using various radioligands for the tissue characterization of patients with heart failure. 123I-labeled metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG), as a marker of adrenergic neuron function, plays an important role in risk stratification in heart failure and may be useful for predicting fatal arrhythmias that may require implantable cardioverter-defibrillator treatment. MIBG has also been used for monitoring treatment effects under various medications. Various positron emission tomography (PET) radioligands have been introduced for the quantitative assessment of presynaptic and postsynaptic neuronal function in vivo. 11C-hydroxyephedrine, like MIBG, has potential for assessing the severity of heart failure. Our PET study using the β-receptor antagonist 11C-CGP 12177 in patients with heart failure showed a reduction of β-receptor density, indicating downregulation, in most of the patients. More studies are needed to confirm the clinical utility of these molecular imaging modalities for the management of heart failure patients.
Keywords: Adrenergic neuronal imaging; Heart failure; Molecular imaging; Positron emission tomography; Radionuclide imaging; Receptor imaging.