Abstract 13664: Relationship Between Vascular Inflammation Assessed by 18FDG-PET/CT and Coronary Calcification in Patients With Lung Cancer

Abstract

Background: As the prognosis of lung cancer (LK) has improved over the years, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease may affect the prognosis of LK. Previous studies have shown that vascular inflammation assessed by 18FDG-PET/CT and coronary artery calcification (CAC) assessed by chest CT can predict cardiovascular events. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between vascular inflammation on 18FDG-PET/CT and CAC in patients with LK. Methods: Ninety-nine patients with LK who underwent both chest CT and 18FDG-PET/CT were included in this study. Vascular inflammation was assessed by 18FDG-PET/CT. Target-to-background ratio (TBR) was measured in 8 major arteries and was used as a marker of vascular inflammation. Agatston score was measured using chest CT images and was used as a marker of CAC. Results: The mean age was 70 years old (61 male). The median TBR was 1.39 (IQR: 1.33-1.43). Using a median value of TBR, patients were divided into 2 groups, high TBR group (≧1.39, n=50) and the low TBR group (<1.39, n=49). High TBR group had more male gender (72% vs. 51%, p=0.03), was significantly older (71 (67-74)vs. 62(57-70)years, p<0.001), and had diabetes (p=0.03). In contrast, the history of hypertension (p=0.993), dyslipidemia (p=0.622) and smoking(p=0.113) were similar between the groups. Agatston score was significantly higher in the high TBR group than in the low TBR group (168±338 vs. 56±97, p=0.005). Conclusion: Patients with lung cancer patients with high vascular inflammation had significantly higher Agatston score, suggesting an association between vascular inflammation and advanced coronary atherosclerosis. The impact of vascular inflammation and/or coronary calcification on the prognosis of LK needs further investigation.