Table 1 Overview of potential clinical indications for cardiac PET/MRI
Potential | Indication | Comment |
|---|---|---|
Strong | Cardiac inflammation | Detection and assessment of activity not satisfactory using CMR; complementary information using CMR and PET; high number of clinical cases |
Strong | Ischemic heart disease | Established criteria for clinical outcome after revascularisation not satisfactory; integration of structural alterations and perfusion using PET/MRI seems plausible; high number of clinical cases with large combined morbidity and mortality; to date highly speculative due to missing data, particularly on the combination with MR coronary angiography. |
Strong | Ischemic cardiomyopathy | Limited evidence available for combined PET/MRI, but generally great potential by assessing perfusion, metabolism, viability and function simultaneously. Strong potential for tissue characterization by using novel radiopharmaceuticals. |
Intermediate | Acute coronary syndromes | Assessment of myocardial salvage and cardiac remodelling could guide the development of novel therapies; maybe limited relevance outside research or clinical studies |
Weak | Cardiac tumours | CMR or PET(/CT) probably sufficient in most cases; anticipated added value of PET/MRI for planning of complex surgery/radiation or identification of relapse in malignant tumours |