Abstract
Thrombus formation can lead to heart attacks, stroke and pulmonary embolism, which are major causes of mortality. Current standard diagnostic imaging methods detect anatomic abnormalities such as vascular flow impairment but have limitations. By using a targeted molecular imaging approach critical components of a pathology can be selectively visualized and exploited for an improved diagnosis and patient management. The GPIIb/IIIa receptor is abundantly and specifically exposed on activated platelets and is the key receptor in thrombus formation. This commentary describes the current status of GPIIb/IIIa-based PET imaging approaches with a focus on the recently published preclinical data of the small-molecule PET tracer 18F-GP1. Areas of future research and potential clinical applications are discussed that may lead to an improved detection of critical thromboembolic events and an optimization of available antithrombotic therapies by tracking activated platelets.
Highlights
Thrombus formation can lead to heart attacks, stroke and pulmonary embolism, which are major causes of mortality
Molecular imaging approaches combined with high-resolution anatomic imaging allow for tissue characterization on a molecular level to support a better diagnosis and potentially leading to improved therapeutic outcomes
Ultrasound is standard of care for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and carotid stenosis while computed tomography angiography (CTA) and spiral computed tomography are commonly used for detecting pulmonary emboli (PE) and peripheral arterial disease
Summary
Thrombus formation can lead to heart attacks, stroke and pulmonary embolism, which are major causes of mortality. Molecular imaging approaches combined with high-resolution anatomic imaging allow for tissue characterization on a molecular level to support a better diagnosis and potentially leading to improved therapeutic outcomes. Current procedures elucidate space filling lesions but provide little information on the biological processes ongoing at the level of the occlusion and generally do not allow for reliable discrimination between fresh unstable (high risk) thrombi and chronic organized (stable) thrombi.
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