Validation of PET-MRI for cardiovascular disease
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Validation of PET-MRI for Cardiovascular Disease
IRAS ID
213574
Contact name
Jack Andrews
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 1 days
Research summary
PET-CT is a novel scanning technique which has shown immense promise in the field of cardiovascular disease. It can identify the biologically active process of plaque formation (narrowing of the arteries) and plaque rupture (heart attacks). We propose that PET-MRI may be able to provide superior image quality to PET-CT. At present PET-MRI is troubled with standardised attenuation correction. This is essentially finding a reproducible technique of merging the PET and MRI images together.
We have recently acquired a hybrid PET-MRI scanner in the Clinical Research Imaging Centre (CRIC) and propose to perform a PET-MRI scan on a small amount of patients who have just undergone a PET-CT scan either for cardiovascular research or clinical reasons. This will involve no additional exposure to Radiation. The same radioisotope administration imaged on the PET-CT scanner will also be imaged on the PET-MRI scanner. The pilot study is aiming to determine whether we can develop our own attenuation correction methods and validate PET-MRI against PET-CT scanning. Potential participants will be informed of the study before their PET-CT scan via information leaflets attached to their CRIC appointment cards and asked whether they would be willing to undergo a PET-MRI scan afterwards. If they agree, they will be allowed to discuss the study with a member of the research team and consent if willing. They then will be asked once again immediately after their PET-CT to ensure they are still happy to proceed. The scan should last at most 60 minutes and we are hopeful we can establish a robust method of attenuation correction and validate our results against PET-CT. If successful, this imaging method may play a vital role in identifying those with important coronary artery disease who may require specific tailored cardiac treatments.
The study will be funded by the British Heart Foundation.
REC name
South East Scotland REC 02
REC reference
16/SS/0166
Date of REC Opinion
9 Oct 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion