Molecular Imaging in Infective Endocarditis with PET-hybrid imaging
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Molecular Imaging in Infective Endocarditis using Hybrid Positron Emission Tomography/Magnetic Resonance Imaging (PET/MR) and Computed Tomography (PET/CT)
IRAS ID
223163
Contact name
Marc Dweck
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
PET scanning (positron emission tomography) is a well-established technique used to identify areas of interest within the body. It involves injecting a radioactive tracer which highlights abnormal areas. It has recently been combined with CT (computed tomography) and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scanning to more accurately identify abnormalities within the heart. Infective endocarditis (infection of the heart valves or lining of the heart) and device infection (where a pacemaker device or wire becomes infected) are of particular interest in this area.
We have recently acquired a specialised PET scanner in the Clinical Research Imaging Centre which allows us to use PET scanning combined with MRI scanning. We will use PET scanning combined with CT scanning instead for patients who aren't able to undergo MRI scanning. This will allow us to look at abnormal areas within the heart in these conditions alongside treatment regimens in a way which hasn't been done before. If successful, this imaging method will play a key role in diagnosing, quantifying and monitoring these conditions.
All patients will undergo PET scanning, where a radioactive tracer is injected into a vein before the scan. The radioactive substance only lasts for a short time, passed out of the body in urine. Patients with infective endocarditis involving their own heart valve will undergo an MRI scan as part of the PET scan. Patients with infective endocarditis involving a metal or prosthetic heart valve and also patients who have pacemaker infections, instead of an MRI, will have a CT scan. The reason for this is that CT is better for looking at metal and prosthetic heart valves and patients with pacemakers can't have MRI scans because the strong magnet in the scanner can affect the pacemaker. The scan will be performed twice; once before treatment and once after treatment has been established.
REC name
South East Scotland REC 02
REC reference
17/SS/0112
Date of REC Opinion
18 Sep 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion