Abstract 150: Arterial Calcification and Neural Metabolic Activity: Assessing Neurovascular Status Through FDG and NaF PET/CT Imaging

Introduction Atherosclerosis, the occlusion of arteries due to the accumulation of fatty substances, cholesterol, calcium, and fibrin in the arterial walls, can result in reduced blood flow and a subsequent decrease in oxygen delivery to the organs supplied by the affected artery, including the brai...

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Main Authors: Robert C. Subtirelu, Eric M. Teichner, Yvonne Su, Thomas Werner, Poul Flemming Høilund‐Carlsen, Mona‐Elisabeth Revheim, Abass Alavi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2023-11-01
Series:Stroke: Vascular and Interventional Neurology
Online Access:https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/SVIN.03.suppl_2.150
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author Robert C. Subtirelu
Eric M. Teichner
Yvonne Su
Thomas Werner
Poul Flemming Høilund‐Carlsen
Mona‐Elisabeth Revheim
Abass Alavi
author_facet Robert C. Subtirelu
Eric M. Teichner
Yvonne Su
Thomas Werner
Poul Flemming Høilund‐Carlsen
Mona‐Elisabeth Revheim
Abass Alavi
author_sort Robert C. Subtirelu
collection DOAJ
description Introduction Atherosclerosis, the occlusion of arteries due to the accumulation of fatty substances, cholesterol, calcium, and fibrin in the arterial walls, can result in reduced blood flow and a subsequent decrease in oxygen delivery to the organs supplied by the affected artery, including the brain. Positron emission tomography‐computed tomography (PET‐CT) utilizing 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and 18F‐Sodium Fluoride (NaF) have demonstrated efficacy in the assessment of cerebral glucose metabolism and atherosclerotic calcification, respectively. However, the reported literature has not clearly correlated arterial disease throughout the body with cerebral hypometabolism. Utilizing a novel integration of FDG and NaF PET/CT imaging, our study explores the link between cardiovascular risk factors and regional cerebral metabolism. Methods We compared 79 healthy controls (mean age 44.5 ± 13.8 years, 53.2% males) and 40 individuals (mean age 55.9 ± 11.9 years, 50% males) at increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) as assessed by the systematic coronary risk evaluation (SCORE) tool. All subjects underwent whole‐body FDG‐PET/CT imaging. [18F]fluoride PET/CT imaging was performed using hybrid PET/CT scanners with image correction and reconstruction processes following standard protocols. The quantitative regional analysis of PET images was performed using MIMneuro version 7.1.5 (MIM Software, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio). 70 whole brain structures were analyzed in each subject. MIMneuro provided region‐based analysis, with z‐scores generated by comparing the patient to the selected age‐matched set of normal controls. Using OsiriX MD software, [18F]fluoride PET/CT scans were analyzed with regions of interest (ROIs) manually drawn to assess carotid calcification and standardized uptake value mean (SUVmean), along with ROI volume values. Correlations between the degree of molecular calcification and cerebral FDG uptake in patients with cardiovascular risk factors were evaluated using Pearson’s R, with the significance threshold set at P < 0.05. Results Unhealthy patients demonstrated significant negative correlations between increased calcification in the carotid arteries, as assessed by NaF‐PET, and metabolic activity in the anterior cingulate (r = ‐0.42, p = 0.008) and cingulate regions (r = ‐0.34, p = 0.036). Conversely, healthy patients exhibited significant positive correlations in the pons (r = 0.25, p = 0.042) and pontine tegmentum (r = 0.34, p = 0.005), suggestive of a compensatory mechanism to maintain autonomic and motor functions. Conclusion The present study provides insight regarding the interplay between arterial calcification and neural metabolic activity, particularly as it pertains to regions supplied by the anterior cerebral artery. Our investigation suggests that calcification in the carotid arteries, which give rise to the ACA, has a deleterious impact on the function of the cingulate gyrus. Additionally, the observed positive correlation in the pons and pontine tegmentum in healthy individuals raises intriguing questions regarding potential compensatory mechanisms that may help maintain autonomic and motor functions despite vascular impediments. Understanding the temporal progression of vascular calcification allows for the optimization of surgical strategy and timing, potentially reducing stroke risk and improving patient outcomes. These findings underscore the necessity of persistent surveillance and targeted management strategies concerning carotid calcification.
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spelling doaj.art-7c48b62c0a454d5e8b1205457a77a7d52024-04-05T10:51:57ZengWileyStroke: Vascular and Interventional Neurology2694-57462023-11-013S210.1161/SVIN.03.suppl_2.150Abstract 150: Arterial Calcification and Neural Metabolic Activity: Assessing Neurovascular Status Through FDG and NaF PET/CT ImagingRobert C. Subtirelu0Eric M. Teichner1Yvonne Su2Thomas Werner3Poul Flemming Høilund‐Carlsen4Mona‐Elisabeth Revheim5Abass Alavi6Department of Radiology Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania United StatesSidney Kimmel Medical College Thomas Jefferson University Pennsylvania United StatesDepartment of Radiology Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania United StatesDepartment of Radiology Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania United StatesDepartment of Nuclear Medicine Odense University Hospital Funen DenmarkInstitute of Clinical Medicine University of Oslo Oslo NorwayDepartment of Radiology Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania United StatesIntroduction Atherosclerosis, the occlusion of arteries due to the accumulation of fatty substances, cholesterol, calcium, and fibrin in the arterial walls, can result in reduced blood flow and a subsequent decrease in oxygen delivery to the organs supplied by the affected artery, including the brain. Positron emission tomography‐computed tomography (PET‐CT) utilizing 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and 18F‐Sodium Fluoride (NaF) have demonstrated efficacy in the assessment of cerebral glucose metabolism and atherosclerotic calcification, respectively. However, the reported literature has not clearly correlated arterial disease throughout the body with cerebral hypometabolism. Utilizing a novel integration of FDG and NaF PET/CT imaging, our study explores the link between cardiovascular risk factors and regional cerebral metabolism. Methods We compared 79 healthy controls (mean age 44.5 ± 13.8 years, 53.2% males) and 40 individuals (mean age 55.9 ± 11.9 years, 50% males) at increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) as assessed by the systematic coronary risk evaluation (SCORE) tool. All subjects underwent whole‐body FDG‐PET/CT imaging. [18F]fluoride PET/CT imaging was performed using hybrid PET/CT scanners with image correction and reconstruction processes following standard protocols. The quantitative regional analysis of PET images was performed using MIMneuro version 7.1.5 (MIM Software, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio). 70 whole brain structures were analyzed in each subject. MIMneuro provided region‐based analysis, with z‐scores generated by comparing the patient to the selected age‐matched set of normal controls. Using OsiriX MD software, [18F]fluoride PET/CT scans were analyzed with regions of interest (ROIs) manually drawn to assess carotid calcification and standardized uptake value mean (SUVmean), along with ROI volume values. Correlations between the degree of molecular calcification and cerebral FDG uptake in patients with cardiovascular risk factors were evaluated using Pearson’s R, with the significance threshold set at P < 0.05. Results Unhealthy patients demonstrated significant negative correlations between increased calcification in the carotid arteries, as assessed by NaF‐PET, and metabolic activity in the anterior cingulate (r = ‐0.42, p = 0.008) and cingulate regions (r = ‐0.34, p = 0.036). Conversely, healthy patients exhibited significant positive correlations in the pons (r = 0.25, p = 0.042) and pontine tegmentum (r = 0.34, p = 0.005), suggestive of a compensatory mechanism to maintain autonomic and motor functions. Conclusion The present study provides insight regarding the interplay between arterial calcification and neural metabolic activity, particularly as it pertains to regions supplied by the anterior cerebral artery. Our investigation suggests that calcification in the carotid arteries, which give rise to the ACA, has a deleterious impact on the function of the cingulate gyrus. Additionally, the observed positive correlation in the pons and pontine tegmentum in healthy individuals raises intriguing questions regarding potential compensatory mechanisms that may help maintain autonomic and motor functions despite vascular impediments. Understanding the temporal progression of vascular calcification allows for the optimization of surgical strategy and timing, potentially reducing stroke risk and improving patient outcomes. These findings underscore the necessity of persistent surveillance and targeted management strategies concerning carotid calcification.https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/SVIN.03.suppl_2.150
spellingShingle Robert C. Subtirelu
Eric M. Teichner
Yvonne Su
Thomas Werner
Poul Flemming Høilund‐Carlsen
Mona‐Elisabeth Revheim
Abass Alavi
Abstract 150: Arterial Calcification and Neural Metabolic Activity: Assessing Neurovascular Status Through FDG and NaF PET/CT Imaging
Stroke: Vascular and Interventional Neurology
title Abstract 150: Arterial Calcification and Neural Metabolic Activity: Assessing Neurovascular Status Through FDG and NaF PET/CT Imaging
title_full Abstract 150: Arterial Calcification and Neural Metabolic Activity: Assessing Neurovascular Status Through FDG and NaF PET/CT Imaging
title_fullStr Abstract 150: Arterial Calcification and Neural Metabolic Activity: Assessing Neurovascular Status Through FDG and NaF PET/CT Imaging
title_full_unstemmed Abstract 150: Arterial Calcification and Neural Metabolic Activity: Assessing Neurovascular Status Through FDG and NaF PET/CT Imaging
title_short Abstract 150: Arterial Calcification and Neural Metabolic Activity: Assessing Neurovascular Status Through FDG and NaF PET/CT Imaging
title_sort abstract 150 arterial calcification and neural metabolic activity assessing neurovascular status through fdg and naf pet ct imaging
url https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/SVIN.03.suppl_2.150
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