ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: There is limited knowledge about endothelial dysfunction in patients with primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS). The purpose of this study was to evaluate endothelial function in patients with PAPS assessed by positron emission tomography. METHODS AND RESULTS: A 3-phase protocol--rest, cold pressor test (CPT), and adenosine positron emission tomography with nitrogen 13 ammonia--was used in 18 patients with PAPS and 18 healthy volunteers (HVs). Myocardial blood flow (MBF) was measured in each phase, with calculation of the endothelial-dependent vasodilation index, the increase in the MBF in response to CPT, and the myocardial flow reserve. An important trend was found in the myocardial flow reserve (2.76 +/- 1.04 in PAPS group vs 3.27 +/- 0.72 in HV group, P > .05), in the endothelial-dependent vasodilation index (1.19 +/- 0.31 in PAPS group vs 1.55 +/- 0.37 in HV group, P < .05), and in the percent change in the MBF in response to CPT (from rest) (19% +/- 31% in PAPS group vs 55% +/- 37% in HV group, P < .05). CONCLUSION: The CPT results obtained in this study showed that the PAPS patients studied have endothelial dysfunction.
Subject(s)
Antiphospholipid Syndrome/pathology , Endothelium, Vascular/diagnostic imaging , Endothelium, Vascular/pathology , Positron-Emission Tomography/methods , Adenosine/metabolism , Adult , Case-Control Studies , Coagulants/chemistry , Coronary Circulation , Female , Heart/diagnostic imaging , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Myocardium/pathology , Prospective StudiesABSTRACT
Takayasu's arteritis is a primary vasculitis that affects large vessels and is characterized by chronic granulomatous inflammation. Diagnosis has been primarily clinical, with verification by angiography as the gold standard. More recently, however, it has become apparent that positron emission tomography enables better evaluation of vascular inflammation. This study presents 2 cases of Takayasu's arteritis. Magnetic resonance angiography was used to evaluate aortic anatomy by analyzing vascular wall thickness and also to quantify disease activity by measuring gadolinium enhancement. Positron emission tomography was used to evaluate active vascular inflammation by quantifying fluorodeoxyglucose F18 uptake. We conclude that both techniques support clinical diagnosis and aid in the evaluation of disease activity during and after treatment.
Subject(s)
Blood Pressure/physiology , Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 , Magnetic Resonance Angiography/methods , Positron-Emission Tomography/methods , Radiopharmaceuticals , Takayasu Arteritis/diagnosis , Adult , Diagnosis, Differential , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Severity of Illness Index , Takayasu Arteritis/physiopathologyABSTRACT
Today non invasive cardiovascular imaging techniques exist, such as positron emission tomography (PET) and 16 multislice computed tomography (16-MSCT). With these studies, it is possible to evaluate the function and anatomy of the heart respectively. There is not enough information in the literature about the usefulness for 16-MSCT in the evaluation of infarcts. In this article, we show images of a patient who arrived to our institution and in whom it was possible to obtain important information with both imaging techniques. With the results, we obtained a good correlation of an infarct zone with PET and 16-MSCT. 16-MSCT is a good technique for observing infarcted zones of the heart. PET/CT is a non invasive cardiovascular imaging technique capable of giving enough anatomic and functional information.
Subject(s)
Myocardial Infarction/diagnosis , Positron-Emission Tomography , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methodsABSTRACT
Today non invasive cardiovascular imaging techniques exist, such as positron emission tomography (PET) and 16 multislice computed tomography (16-MSCT). With these studies, it is possible to evaluate the function and anatomy of the heart respectively. There is not enough information in the literature about the usefulness for 16-MSCT in the evaluation of infarcts. In this article, we show images of a patient who arrived to our institution and in whom it was possible to obtain important information with both imaging techniques. With the results, we obtained a good correlation of an infarct zone with PET and 16-MSCT. 16-MSCT is a good technique for observing infarcted zones of the heart. PET/CT is a non invasive cardiovascular imaging technique capable of giving enough anatomic and functional information.
