Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) imaging allows for non-invasive visualization of anatomical structures while Positron emission tomography (PET) scans allow for the observation of molecular and cellular activities. Using a PET/MRI in patients with vascular injury post intervention with help evaluate the vascular inflammatory and resolution response in vivo.
Acute vascular injury through endovascular intervention results in recruitment of inflammatory cells such as macrophages to the vessel wall. Macrophages are very metabolically active and consume glucose at a high rate. In PET/MRI, subjects are injected with 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG), a radioactively labeled glucose molecule which is consumed by macrophages.
When 18F-FDG is consumed, it is retained within macrophages more avidly than other atherosclerotic lesion elements. Thus, FDG-PET provides a unique and noninvasive approach to quantitatively measure macrophage activity at the intervention site.
This study will provide key pilot data for developing an imaging surrogate endpoint for pro-resolving mediator treatment intervention trials going forward.
