scholarly journals Statin Effects on Vascular Calcification

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua Zhaojun Xian ◽  
Mimi Lu ◽  
Felicia Fong ◽  
Rong Qiao ◽  
Nikhil Rajesh Patel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Positron Emission Tomography ◽  
Surface Area ◽  
Vascular Calcification ◽  
Emission Tomography ◽  
Micro Computed Tomography ◽  
Positron Emission ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Calcium Deposits ◽  
Tomography Analysis

Objective: Statins lower cardiovascular event risk, yet, they paradoxically increase coronary artery calcification, a marker consistently associated with increased cardiovascular risks. As calcium deposits influence rupture risk due to stress from compliance mismatch at their surfaces, we hypothesized that statins may lower cardiovascular risk by altering the microarchitecture of calcium deposits. Thus, using mice with preexisting vascular calcification, we tested whether pravastatin reduces the mineral surface area of calcium deposits. Approach and Results: Aged Apoe − /− mice were treated with pravastatin or vehicle for 20 weeks. Aortic calcification was assessed by in vivo sodium fluoride labeled with fluoride 18 isotope-micro-positron emission tomography/micro-computed tomography imaging at weeks 0, 10, and 20 and by histomorphometry at euthanasia. Micro-computed tomography analysis showed that, in both groups, the amount of vascular calcification increased significantly over the 20-week period, but pravastatin treatment did not augment over the controls. In contrast, the micro-positron emission tomography analysis showed that, at week 10, the pravastatin group had less 18 F uptake, suggesting reduced surface area of actively mineralizing deposits, but this decrease was not sustained at week 20. However, a significant difference in the mineral deposit size was found by histomorphometry. The pravastatin group had significantly more aortic microcalcium deposits (<50 µm in diameter) than the controls. The pravastatin group also had more vascular cells positive for alkaline phosphatase activity than the controls. The amount of collagen and osteopontin, additional osteoblastic markers, were not significantly different between the 2 groups. Conclusions: These results suggest that pravastatin treatment alters the microarchitecture of aortic calcium deposits with potential effects on plaque stability.

scholarly journals Positron emission tomography/computed tomography findings of lung invasive adenocarcinoma subgroups and comparison of their short-term survivals

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 370-376
Author(s):  
Bahar Ağaoğlu Şanlı ◽  
Fatma İlknur Ulugün ◽  
Volkan Karaçam ◽  
Duygu Gürel ◽  
Recep Bekiş ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Positron Emission Tomography ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Lung Resection ◽  
Emission Tomography ◽  
Survival Duration ◽  
Invasive Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Standardized Uptake Values ◽  
Positron Emission ◽  
Significant Difference

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the maximum standardized uptake values on positron emission tomography/ computed tomography and survival of lung invasive adenocarcinoma subgroups. Methods: Between January 2010 and January 2016, a total of 152 patients (112 males, 40 females; mean age: 64.2±8.6 years; range, 41 to 88 years) who underwent lung resection for an invasive adenocarcinoma were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into subgroups as follows: acinar, lepidic, micropapillary, papillary, and solid. The maximum standardized uptake values in the imaging study and their relationship with survival were examined. Results: There were 84 acinar (55%), 31 solid (20%), 23 lepidic (15%), nine papillary (5%), and five micropapillary (3%) cases. The positron emission tomography/computed tomography enhancement showed a statistically significant difference among the subgroups (p=0.004). The solid subgroup was the most involved (9.76), followed by micropapillary (8.98), acinar (8.06), papillary (5.82), and lepidic (4.23) subgroups, respectively. According to Tumor, Node, Metastasis staging, Stage I was present in 48.68% (n=74) of the cases, Stage II in 25.0% (n=38), Stage III in 25.0% (n=38), and Stage IV in 1.31% (n=2). The one-year, three-year, and five-year survival rates were significantly different among the disease stages (p=0.01). The longest survival duration was in the lepidic subgroup, although it did not reach statistical significance among the subgroups (p=0.587). Conclusion: The evaluation of invasive adenocarcinomas based on maximum standardized uptake values provides valuable information and may guide neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapies in the future.

Brain Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography Gender Differences in Tinnitus Patients

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (09) ◽  
pp. 714-719 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan Shlamkovich ◽  
Haim Gavriel ◽  
Ephraim Eviatar ◽  
Mordechay Lorberboym ◽  
Eliad Aviram
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Positron Emission Tomography ◽  
Fdg Pet ◽  
Emission Tomography ◽  
Positron Emission ◽  
Pet Ct ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Therapeutic Protocols ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Fdg Pet Ct

Background: Increased metabolism in the left auditory cortex has been reported in tinnitus patients. However, gender difference has not been addressed. Purpose: To assess the differences in Positron emission tomography–computed tomography (PET-CT) results between the genders in tinnitus patients. Research Design: Retrospective cohort. Study Sample: Included were patients referred to our clinic between January 2011 and August 2013 who complained of tinnitus and underwent fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-PET to assess brain metabolism. Data Analysis: Univariate and multivariate nominal logistic regressions were used to evaluate the association between upper temporal gyrus (UTG; right and left) and gender. Results: Included were 140 patients (87 males) with an average age of 52.5 yr (median = 53.1). Bilateral tinnitus was found in 85 patients (60.7%), left sided in 30 (21.4%), and right sided in 21(15%). Increased uptake in the UTG was found in 60% of the patients on either side. Males had a statistically significant increased uptake in the UTG in those with unilateral tinnitus and in the entire population. Conclusions: We present the largest study reported so far on tinnitus patients who have undergone FDG-PET-CT. We found a statistically significant difference between the genders in FDG uptake by the UTG. Further investigations should be undertaken to reveal the etiologies for these differences and to assess different therapeutic protocols according to gender.

The Potential Value of Hybrid Positron Emission Tomography/Dual-Source Computed Tomography Imaging in Coronary Bypass Surgery

2011 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andre Plass ◽  
Maximilian Y. Emmert ◽  
Oliver Gaemperli ◽  
Hatem Alkadhi ◽  
Philipp Kaufmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Positron Emission Tomography ◽  
Coronary Artery ◽  
Coronary Angiography ◽  
Myocardial Perfusion ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Bypass Surgery ◽  
Emission Tomography ◽  
Positron Emission ◽  
Pet Ct

<p><b>Background:</b> We evaluated how comprehensive assessment of coronary artery lesions and their hemodynamic relevance by means of hybrid positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT) imaging would affect decision-making in coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG), compared with using invasive coronary angiography (ICA) alone.</p><p><b>Methods:</b> After undergoing ICA, 27 patients (21 men and 6 women; mean SD age, 66 � 10 years) planned for cardiac surgery were scheduled for myocardial perfusion stress/rest evaluation with [13N]ammonia PET and CT coronary angiography. Only ICA was available to the surgeon. Postoperatively, the performed CABG was compared with the hypothetical strategy based on hybrid PET/CT findings (regional coronary flow reserve [CFR], myocardial perfusion defects). Procedures included CABG (n = 18) alone, CABG combined with valve replacement (n = 6), and CABG combined with isolated valve replacement (n = 3). A total of 56 bypass grafts (28 venous and 28 arterial) and 66 distal anastomoses were placed.</p><p><b>Results:</b> CT evaluation showed 93% concordance (66/71) with ICA regarding significant stenoses, with sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 93.1%, 98.7%, 94.4%, and 98.4%, respectively. In the PET scan, 16 patients had 1 ischemic region, and 12 patients had 1 scar region, including 5 patients who presented with mixed conditions (scar and ischemia). One patient had a completely normal myocardium. Compared with the performed surgery, PET/CT fusion evaluation showed that of the performed anastomoses, 48% had documented ischemia (with a CFR <2 in 86%), 38% were nonischemic (although a CFR value <2 was found in 78%), and 14% had scar tissue (fixed perfusion defect).</p><p><b>Conclusions:</b> Although <50% of bypasses were placed to areas with myocardial ischemia, the CFR was low in the majority of nonischemic regions, a finding that may have important prognostic relevance. PET/CT fusion imaging could potentially influence planning for CABG and provide incremental prognostic information.</p>

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