[68Ga]Ga-NODAGAZOL uptake in atherosclerotic plaques correlates with the cardiovascular risk profile of patients

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the correlation of [⁶⁸Ga]Ga-NODAGA^ZOL uptake in atherosclerotic plaques and the cardiovascular risk profile of patients imaged with positron emission tomography (PET), wherein quantification of uptake was determined by atherosclerotic plaque maximum target-to-background ratio (TBRmax). We also correlated uptake with a history of cardiovascular events.

Methods: We included patients who underwent PET/CT imaging post-injection of [⁶⁸Ga] Ga-NODAGA^ZOL. We documented the number of atherosclerotic plaques found in the major arteries on CT and the cardiovascular risks in each patient. We quantified the intensity of tracer uptake in atherosclerotic plaque in the major arteries using the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax). The SUVmax of the most tracer-avid plaque was documented as representative of the individual arterial bed. We determined background vascular tracer activity using the mean standardized uptake value (SUVmean) obtained from the lumen of the superior vena cava. The maximum target-to-background ratio (TBRmax) was calculated as a ratio of the SUVmax to the SUVmean. The TBRmax was correlated to the number of atherogenic risk factors and history of cardiovascular events.

Results: Thirty-four patients (M: F 31:3; mean age ± SD: 63 ± 10.01 years) with ≥ 2 cardiovascular risk factors were included. Statistically significant correlation between TBRmax and the number of cardiovascular risk factors was noted in the right carotid (r = 0.50; p < 0.05); left carotid (r = 0. 649; p < 0.05); ascending aorta (r = 0.375; p < 0.05); aortic arch (r = 0.483; p < 0.05); thoracic aorta (r = 0.644; p < 0.05); left femoral (r = 0.552; p < 0.05) and right femoral arteries (r = 0.533; p < 0.05). TBRmax also demonstrated a positive correlation to history of cardiovascular event in the right carotid (U = 26.00; p < 0.05); left carotid (U = 11.00; p < 0.05); ascending aorta (U = 49.00; p < 0.05); aortic arch (U = 37.00; p < 0.05); thoracic aorta (U = 16.00; p < 0.05); left common iliac (U = 49.500; p < 0.05), right common iliac (U = 43.00; p < 0.05), left femoral (U = 40.500; p < 0.05) and right femoral (U = 37.500; p < 0.05).

Conclusion: In this cohort of patients, a positive correlation was noted between atherosclerotic plaque uptake of [⁶⁸Ga]Ga-NODAGA^ZOL and the number of atherogenic risk factors which translates to the risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk factors.

Keywords: Atherosclerotic plaque; SUVmax; SUVmean; TBRmax; [68Ga]Ga-NODAGAZOL.