Nucl Med Mol Imaging.  2014 Sep;48(3):196-202. 10.1007//s13139-014-0277-1.

Carotid Artery FDG Uptake May Serve as a Biomarker for Cardiovascular Risk Stratification in Asymptomatic Adults

• Lee DH
• Lee SJ
• Lee DJ
• Kwon SH
• Jo KS
• An YS
• Yoon JK

• KMID: 2313194
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1007//s13139-014-0277-1

Abstract

PURPOSE
We investigated the relation between carotid artery FDG uptake and cardiovascular risk based on the Framingham risk score (FRS) and evaluated the possible role of FDG uptake in terms of risk stratification of asymptomatic adults.
METHODS
We evaluated 290 adults who underwent FDG PET/CT as part of general health screens. We calculated target-to-background ratios, corrected for pre-scan blood glucose levels, and obtained "TBRglu" values for both common carotid arteries. The FRS and the presence/absence of metabolic syndrome were recorded for each subject. Relationships among TBRglu values, metabolic syndrome status, and clinical parameters were assessed.
RESULTS
Carotid artery FDG uptake was significantly associated with clinical risk factors. Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that triglyceride levels, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome were independent determinants of high TBRglu. Of subjects with metabolic syndrome, those exhibiting high carotid artery FDG uptake had significantly higher levels of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP). In subjects who did not have metabolic syndrome, FRSs were significantly elevated in those exhibiting high carotid artery FDG uptake compared to those with low uptake (13.1+/-7.0 vs. 8.2+/-7.4), as was also true of subjects with the syndrome (21.8 +/-16.0 vs. 13.5+/-11.9).
CONCLUSION
High carotid FDG uptake is significantly associated with clinical risk factors and a greater FRS. Of subjects with metabolic syndrome, those with high carotid uptake had significantly higher hsCRP concentrations and FRSs. Therefore, carotid artery FDG activity may serve as a possible biomarker allowing cardiovascular risk stratification of asymptomatic populations.

Keyword

Atherosclerosis; Carotid arteries; 18 F-FDG; Risk assessments; Metabolic syndrome; Cardiovascular disease

MeSH Terms

Adult*
Atherosclerosis
Blood Glucose
C-Reactive Protein
Cardiovascular Diseases
Carotid Arteries*
Carotid Artery, Common
Humans
Positron-Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography
Risk Assessment
Risk Factors
Triglycerides
Blood Glucose
C-Reactive Protein