A PET scan, which
is also referred to as
positron emission tomography, is a diagnostic tool used by doctors to see
specific areas of your body without doing surgery. This important diagnostic
tool can be used on almost anyone. A PET scan shows promise in the early
diagnosis of atherosclerosis and its importance in preventing cerebrovascular
events such as stroke.
Atherosclerosis is the early stage of heart disease. It is usually asymptomatic and develops over a period of decades. It involves the formation of plaques in the arteries. These plaques greatly increase your risk of stroke and myocardial infarction. It is now possible for doctors to use the dual optical PET/CT activity probe to detect these atherosclerotic plaques. Detection of the plaques is the first step in treatment.
Evidence for PET Scans
A collaborative study published in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine provided evidence that PET scans are beneficial to patients suspected of having heart disease. They are non-invasive and show clear results such as the inflammation of arteries. The scans are also beneficial in detecting atherosclerotic plaque. The probes used in the studies allow doctors to accurately detect lesions in arteries that are undergoing high levels of inflammation and extracellular matrix remodeling.
Future Uses of PET Scans for Artery Disease Diagnosis
Medical researchers believe that the probes used in a PET scan will allow for early detection of atherosclerotic plaque. The scans may also have a place in real-time monitoring of how well a patient is responding to treatments such as angioplasty. In the future, doctors may also use PET scans as a way to monitor clinical drug efficacy. The scans may also be used in stroke prevention and management.
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