Imaging of Myocardial Ischemia–Reperfusion Injury Using Sodium [(18)F]Fluoride Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography in Rats and Humans

Positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) using sodium [(18)F]fluoride (Na[(18)F]F) has been proven to be a promising hot-spot imaging modality for myocardial infarction (MI). We investigated Na[(18)F]F uptake in ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI) of rats and humans. Sodium [(18)F]fluoride PET/CT was performed in Sprague-Dawley rats that had IRI surgery, and it readily demonstrated prominent Na[(18)F]F uptake in the infarct area post-IRI. Sodium [(18)F]fluoride uptake was matched with negative 2,3,5-triphenyl-2H-tetrazolium chloride staining results, accompanied by myocardial apoptosis and associated with positive calcium staining results. Furthermore, area at risk was negative for Na[(18)F]F uptake. Cyclosporine A (CysA) treatment reduced standardized uptake value of (18)F over the infarct area, and a significant decrease in infarct size was also observed by the CysA treatment. In humans, Na[(18)F]F PET/CT readily demonstrated increased Na[(18)F]F uptake in the 2 patients with MI post-percutaneous coronary intervention. In conclusion, this study sheds light on the potential utility of Na[(18)F]F PET/CT as a hot-spot imaging modality for myocardial IRI.