Multifactorial Relationship Between F-18-Fluoro-Deoxy-Glucose Positron Emission Tomography Signaling and Biomechanical Properties in Unruptured Aortic Aneurysms

• Background The relationship between biomechanical properties and biological activities in aortic aneurysms was investigated with finite element simulations and F-18-fluoro-deoxy-glucose (F-18-FDG) positron emission tomography. Methods and Results The study included 53 patients (45 men) with aortic aneurysms, 47 infrarenal (abdominal aortic) and 6 thoracic (thoracic aortic), who had 1 F-18-FDG positron emission tomography/computed tomography. During a 30-month period, more clinical events occurred in patients with increased F-18-FDG uptake on their last examination than in those without (5 of 18 [28%] versus 2 of 35 [6%]; P=0.03). Wall stress and stress/strength index computed by finite element simulations and F-18-FDG uptake were evaluated in a total of 68 examinations. Twenty-five (38%) examinations demonstrated 1 aneurysm wall area of increased F-18-FDG uptake. The mean number of these areas per examination was 1.6 (18 of 11) in thoracic aortic aneurysms versus 0.25 (14 of 57) in abdominal aortic aneurysms, whereas the mean number of increased uptake areas colocalizing with highest wall stress and stress/strength index areas was 0.55 (6 of 11) and 0.02 (1 of 57), respectively. Quantitatively, F-18-FDG positron emission tomographic uptake correlated positively with both wall stress and stress/strength index (P<0.05). F-18-FDG uptake was particularly high in subjects with personal history of angina pectoris and familial aneurysm. Conclusions Increased F-18-FDG positron emission tomographic uptake in aortic aneurysms is strongly related to aneurysm location, wall stress as derived by finite element simulations, and patient risk factors such as acquired and inherited susceptibilities.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Kardiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Radiologi och bildbehandling (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Medical Imaging (hsv//eng)

Keyword

aneurysm

aorta

tomography

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)