PET/CT for the Quantification of Atherosclerotic Plaque Inflammation (QAEK)

PET/CT for the Quantification of Atherosclerotic Plaque Inflammation in Patients With Coronary Heart Disease: The QAEK Trial

This is a single-centre prospective trial with 140 patients employing [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) and advance motion correction and image fusion algorithms to create motion frozen displays and quantify FDG-uptake and thus inflammatory activity in atherosclerotic plaques in the coronary tree. Four groups of patients, two with stable coronary artery disease and two with acute coronary syndrome will be compared and the results of FDG PET/CT will be correlated to results of invasive coronary angiography, intravascular ultrasound / virtual histology, patient risk profile and serum markers of inflammation.

The investigators hypothesize that increased FDG accumulation in atherosclerotic plaques shows a positive correlation with inflammatory activity in coronary plaques and markers of plaque vulnerability as well as the risk profile of the patients and serum markers of inflammation. The investigators furthermore hypothesize that FDG PET/CT is able to detect high risk patients and provide an important means for risk stratification and optimization of patient management.

Study Overview

• Status: Unknown
• Conditions: Coronary Artery Disease; Acute Coronary Syndrome
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: [18F]-FDG positron emission computed tomography; Procedure: Invasive coronary angiography; Other: Serum biomarkers; Procedure: Intravascular ultrasound and virtual histology

Detailed Description

Currently there are only morphological reference standards to detect vulnerable coronary plaques. However, inflammatory activity and plaque composition predict future cardiovascular events. Thus the aims and objectives of the study are the following:

1. Inflammatory activity of the coronary arteries and the great peripheral arteries shall be detected and quantified by means of FDG PET/CT hybrid imaging.
2. We aim to develop "motion frozen displays" of the heart and coronary arteries by means of ECG- and respiratory triggering of myocardial motion to reduce motion artifacts.
3. We aim to compare the coronary FDG uptake of patients with known stable CAD to the coronary FDG uptake of patients with acute coronary syndrome.
4. We aim to correlate coronary PET/CT with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) / virtual histology (VH), which will be carried out during coronary angiography and provides the gold standard to characterize plaque composition.
5. Correlation of the inflammatory activity as measured by PET with the risk profile of the patients, blood coagulability and inflammatory and plaque-associated serum markers to establish a valid risk stratification.
6. Follow-up of the patients over at least one year to detect cardiovascular events.

Study Design

This is a prospective single-center study to evaluate coronary FDG PET/CT under controlled and standardized conditions. The study was approved by the local ethical committee as well as the German Federal Authority for Radiation Protection (Bundesamt für Strahlenschutz). All examinations will be performed at the University Hospital of the LMU in Munich. The study is in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki, all patients provide informed written consent.

We plan to image four study populations with a high risk for inflammatory atherosclerosis or plaque rupture: two groups consist of patients with stable coronary disease and two groups consist of patients with acute coronary syndrome (Figure 1).

In the following, these groups will be described in more detail.

Patients with acute coronary syndrome Group 1: Patients with acute cardiovascular event and typical aberrations in the ECG (STEMI) and positive serum markers need to be stabilized immediately, thus they are not eligible for IVUS. However, by means of ICA the "culprit lesion" can be identified. 48 to 72 hours after the event the stable patients will receive FDG PET/CT to detect morphology and inflammation of the culprit lesion as well as further vulnerable plaques that might need intervention. PET/CT results will be correlated with results of ICA.

Group 2: Patients with acute coronary syndrome without typical aberrations in the ECG (NSTEMI) or without positive serum markers need to be stabilized immediately. In a second step ICA and IVUS / VH will be performed. 48 to 72 hours after the event the stable patients will receive FDG PET/CT to detect morphology and inflammation of the culprit lesion as well as further vulnerable plaques that might need intervention. PET/CT results will be correlated with results of ICA and IVUS / VH.

Patients with stable CAD Group 3: Symptomatic patients with stable CAD, who are eligible for ICA will receive and additional FDG PET/CT scan as well as IVUS / VH. Results will be correlated.

Group 4: Patients eligible for ICA 6 months after STEMI and revascularization will receive IVUS / VH and FDG PET/CT. Results will be correlated with regard to the former culprit lesion as well as further coronary lesions that might be present.

Summary of working hypotheses

Hypothesis 1 (technique) By means of FDG PET/CT the radiotracer uptake in the coronary arteries can be allocated to specific lesions and quantified with the aid of appropriate techniques for motion correction and three-dimensional image fusion.

Hypothesis 2 (association of FDG-uptake and extent of the disease) The coronary FDG-uptake of patients with stable CAD is significantly lower than the coronary FDG-uptake of patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Hypothesis 3 (correlation between IVUS/VH and FDG-uptake) Plaques with typical signs of vulnerability in IVUS/VH show a significantly increased FDG-uptake as a surrogate marker of inflammatory activity.

Hypothesis 4 (association of FDG-uptake and risk profile / serum markers) Coronary FDG-uptake shows a positive correlation with increasing risk profile (Framingham Score) and serum markers for plaque vulnerability and inflammatory reactions.

Hypothesis 5 (association of FDG-uptake and cardiovascular events) Increased coronary FDG-uptake and increased uptake in the peripheral vessels are associated with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events over the course of one year.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Anticipated): 140

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Germany
  • Bavaria
    • Munich, Bavaria, Germany, 81377
      • Department of Nuclear Medicine, Departmen of Cardiology, University of Munich

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 50 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

Patients with stable coronary artery disease or with acute coronary syndrome

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• symptomatic patients with known STEMI or NSTEMI and/or known CAD (see patient groups above)
• written informed consent for blood samples, ICA, IVUS/VH and FDG PET/CT

Exclusion Criteria:

• less than 50 years of age
• reason for symptoms other than coronary stenoses / occlusion
• known contraindication for the above listed examinations (like iodine allergy, intolerance of contrast media, claustrophobia)
• patients, who are not able to lie still without changing position over a minimum of 45 minutes
• pregnancy, breast feeding
• restricted renal function (creatinine > 1,5 mg% in women, > 2mg% in men)
• surgery within prior 24 hours

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

4

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
Group 1 - STEMI; Patients with acute cardiovascular event and typical aberrations in the ECG(STEMI) and positive serum markers	Other: [18F]-FDG positron emission computed tomography; Patients will receive 20 mg furosemide and 20 mg butylscopolamine together with 370 MBq FDG. 120 minutes after the FDG application a ECG- and respiratory gated cardial PET acquisition will be performed, followed by a CT calcium scan, which will also be used for attenuation correction. This will be followed by CT-angiography with the application of 80 ml contrast medium. Patients without betablocker and a heart rate of more than 70 / min will be treated with 50 - 100 mg metoprolol as long as there are no contraindications. Subsequently, a 3D-mode whole body PET scan will be acquired followed by a low-dose CT transmission scan from the base of the scull to the iliac crest.; Procedure: Invasive coronary angiography; ICA is performed via the femoral artery in three projections (RAO 30°, RAO 15° and LAO 45°) and, if necessary, also in further projections. All angiograms are recorded digitally and assessed quantitatively by two experienced readers, who are blinded to the PET/CT results (Quant-Cor, QCA, Siemens Medical Systems, Forchheim, Germany or Digital Cardiac Imaging Systems, Philips, Eindhoven, Netherlands). The mean stenosis of the vessel is assessed in two projections and the percentage of stenosis is calculated for each single segment. Stenoses are localized by means of the AHA (American Heart Association) classification. Occlusions of the vessels are documented and revascularization is performed immediately in patients with acute coronary syndrome (STEMI, NSTEMI).; Other: Serum biomarkers; A 20 ml blood sample will be obtained from each patient. The following biomarkers will be assessed: glucose level, HBA1C, cholesterol levels, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, fibrinogen, factor XIII, plasminogen, complement C3, TNF-alpha, IL-6, CRP, resistin, adiponectin, CD40, 5-lipoxygenase, MMP-9, MMP-1, osteopontin, osteoprotegerin, fetuin, FGF21. ELISA and/or calorimetric assays will be used for the biochemical analyses of the serum markers.
Group 2 - NSTEMI; Patients with acute coronary syndrome without typical aberrations in the ECG (NSTEMI) or without positive serum markers	Other: [18F]-FDG positron emission computed tomography; Patients will receive 20 mg furosemide and 20 mg butylscopolamine together with 370 MBq FDG. 120 minutes after the FDG application a ECG- and respiratory gated cardial PET acquisition will be performed, followed by a CT calcium scan, which will also be used for attenuation correction. This will be followed by CT-angiography with the application of 80 ml contrast medium. Patients without betablocker and a heart rate of more than 70 / min will be treated with 50 - 100 mg metoprolol as long as there are no contraindications. Subsequently, a 3D-mode whole body PET scan will be acquired followed by a low-dose CT transmission scan from the base of the scull to the iliac crest.; Procedure: Invasive coronary angiography; ICA is performed via the femoral artery in three projections (RAO 30°, RAO 15° and LAO 45°) and, if necessary, also in further projections. All angiograms are recorded digitally and assessed quantitatively by two experienced readers, who are blinded to the PET/CT results (Quant-Cor, QCA, Siemens Medical Systems, Forchheim, Germany or Digital Cardiac Imaging Systems, Philips, Eindhoven, Netherlands). The mean stenosis of the vessel is assessed in two projections and the percentage of stenosis is calculated for each single segment. Stenoses are localized by means of the AHA (American Heart Association) classification. Occlusions of the vessels are documented and revascularization is performed immediately in patients with acute coronary syndrome (STEMI, NSTEMI).; Other: Serum biomarkers; A 20 ml blood sample will be obtained from each patient. The following biomarkers will be assessed: glucose level, HBA1C, cholesterol levels, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, fibrinogen, factor XIII, plasminogen, complement C3, TNF-alpha, IL-6, CRP, resistin, adiponectin, CD40, 5-lipoxygenase, MMP-9, MMP-1, osteopontin, osteoprotegerin, fetuin, FGF21. ELISA and/or calorimetric assays will be used for the biochemical analyses of the serum markers.; Procedure: Intravascular ultrasound and virtual histology; During the procedure an intravascular ultrasound will be recorded in grayscale. Radiofrequency raw-data will be collected at the peak of the R-wave and a VH-IVUS data recorder is used to reconstruct a color-coded map. Acquired data will be evaluated with a dedicated software. The grayscale IVUS images will be analyzed frame by frame and used to measure the diameter of the vessel lumen, of the external elastic membrane (EEM) as well as plaque and media thickness (defined as EEM minus lumen). The plaque burden will be calculated. A VH-IVUS analysis will be performed for each frame. Four plaque components will be color-coded: dense calcium white, the necrotic core red, fatty tissue light green and scar tissue dark green. color fractions are expressed as percentage of the plaque area and percentage of plaque volume. Lesions will be classified: pathologic intima thickening, fibroatheroma with thin cap, fibroatheroma with thick cap, fibrotic plaque and fibro-calcified plaque.
Group 3 - symptomatic CAD; Symptomatic patients with stable CAD, who are eligible for ICA	Other: [18F]-FDG positron emission computed tomography; Patients will receive 20 mg furosemide and 20 mg butylscopolamine together with 370 MBq FDG. 120 minutes after the FDG application a ECG- and respiratory gated cardial PET acquisition will be performed, followed by a CT calcium scan, which will also be used for attenuation correction. This will be followed by CT-angiography with the application of 80 ml contrast medium. Patients without betablocker and a heart rate of more than 70 / min will be treated with 50 - 100 mg metoprolol as long as there are no contraindications. Subsequently, a 3D-mode whole body PET scan will be acquired followed by a low-dose CT transmission scan from the base of the scull to the iliac crest.; Procedure: Invasive coronary angiography; ICA is performed via the femoral artery in three projections (RAO 30°, RAO 15° and LAO 45°) and, if necessary, also in further projections. All angiograms are recorded digitally and assessed quantitatively by two experienced readers, who are blinded to the PET/CT results (Quant-Cor, QCA, Siemens Medical Systems, Forchheim, Germany or Digital Cardiac Imaging Systems, Philips, Eindhoven, Netherlands). The mean stenosis of the vessel is assessed in two projections and the percentage of stenosis is calculated for each single segment. Stenoses are localized by means of the AHA (American Heart Association) classification. Occlusions of the vessels are documented and revascularization is performed immediately in patients with acute coronary syndrome (STEMI, NSTEMI).; Other: Serum biomarkers; A 20 ml blood sample will be obtained from each patient. The following biomarkers will be assessed: glucose level, HBA1C, cholesterol levels, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, fibrinogen, factor XIII, plasminogen, complement C3, TNF-alpha, IL-6, CRP, resistin, adiponectin, CD40, 5-lipoxygenase, MMP-9, MMP-1, osteopontin, osteoprotegerin, fetuin, FGF21. ELISA and/or calorimetric assays will be used for the biochemical analyses of the serum markers.; Procedure: Intravascular ultrasound and virtual histology; During the procedure an intravascular ultrasound will be recorded in grayscale. Radiofrequency raw-data will be collected at the peak of the R-wave and a VH-IVUS data recorder is used to reconstruct a color-coded map. Acquired data will be evaluated with a dedicated software. The grayscale IVUS images will be analyzed frame by frame and used to measure the diameter of the vessel lumen, of the external elastic membrane (EEM) as well as plaque and media thickness (defined as EEM minus lumen). The plaque burden will be calculated. A VH-IVUS analysis will be performed for each frame. Four plaque components will be color-coded: dense calcium white, the necrotic core red, fatty tissue light green and scar tissue dark green. color fractions are expressed as percentage of the plaque area and percentage of plaque volume. Lesions will be classified: pathologic intima thickening, fibroatheroma with thin cap, fibroatheroma with thick cap, fibrotic plaque and fibro-calcified plaque.
Group 4 - STEMI; Patients eligible for ICA 6 months after STEMI and revascularization	Other: [18F]-FDG positron emission computed tomography; Patients will receive 20 mg furosemide and 20 mg butylscopolamine together with 370 MBq FDG. 120 minutes after the FDG application a ECG- and respiratory gated cardial PET acquisition will be performed, followed by a CT calcium scan, which will also be used for attenuation correction. This will be followed by CT-angiography with the application of 80 ml contrast medium. Patients without betablocker and a heart rate of more than 70 / min will be treated with 50 - 100 mg metoprolol as long as there are no contraindications. Subsequently, a 3D-mode whole body PET scan will be acquired followed by a low-dose CT transmission scan from the base of the scull to the iliac crest.; Procedure: Invasive coronary angiography; ICA is performed via the femoral artery in three projections (RAO 30°, RAO 15° and LAO 45°) and, if necessary, also in further projections. All angiograms are recorded digitally and assessed quantitatively by two experienced readers, who are blinded to the PET/CT results (Quant-Cor, QCA, Siemens Medical Systems, Forchheim, Germany or Digital Cardiac Imaging Systems, Philips, Eindhoven, Netherlands). The mean stenosis of the vessel is assessed in two projections and the percentage of stenosis is calculated for each single segment. Stenoses are localized by means of the AHA (American Heart Association) classification. Occlusions of the vessels are documented and revascularization is performed immediately in patients with acute coronary syndrome (STEMI, NSTEMI).; Other: Serum biomarkers; A 20 ml blood sample will be obtained from each patient. The following biomarkers will be assessed: glucose level, HBA1C, cholesterol levels, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, fibrinogen, factor XIII, plasminogen, complement C3, TNF-alpha, IL-6, CRP, resistin, adiponectin, CD40, 5-lipoxygenase, MMP-9, MMP-1, osteopontin, osteoprotegerin, fetuin, FGF21. ELISA and/or calorimetric assays will be used for the biochemical analyses of the serum markers.; Procedure: Intravascular ultrasound and virtual histology; During the procedure an intravascular ultrasound will be recorded in grayscale. Radiofrequency raw-data will be collected at the peak of the R-wave and a VH-IVUS data recorder is used to reconstruct a color-coded map. Acquired data will be evaluated with a dedicated software. The grayscale IVUS images will be analyzed frame by frame and used to measure the diameter of the vessel lumen, of the external elastic membrane (EEM) as well as plaque and media thickness (defined as EEM minus lumen). The plaque burden will be calculated. A VH-IVUS analysis will be performed for each frame. Four plaque components will be color-coded: dense calcium white, the necrotic core red, fatty tissue light green and scar tissue dark green. color fractions are expressed as percentage of the plaque area and percentage of plaque volume. Lesions will be classified: pathologic intima thickening, fibroatheroma with thin cap, fibroatheroma with thick cap, fibrotic plaque and fibro-calcified plaque.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Association of FDG uptake and coronary plaque vulnerability	Increased FDG uptake is found in plaques that fulfill the criteria of plaque vulnerability as measured with IVUS/VH.	within 72 hours after enrollment

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Association of FDG-uptake and extent of the disease	The coronary FDG-uptake of patients with stable CAD is significantly lower than the coronary FDG-uptake of patients with acute coronary syndrome.	within 72 hours after enrollment
Association of FDG-uptake and risk profile / serum markers	Coronary FDG-uptake shows a positive correlation with increasing risk profile(Framingham Score) and serum markers for plaque vulnerability and inflammatory reactions.	within 72 hours after enrollment
Association of FDG-uptake and cardiovascular events	Increased coronary FDG-uptake and increased uptake in the peripherial vessels are associated with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events over the course of one year.	within 1 year of follow-up

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Ludwig-Maximilians - University of Munich
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Marcus Hacker, MD, LMU Munich

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: June 1, 2012
• Primary Completion (Anticipated): June 1, 2014
• Study Completion (Anticipated): December 1, 2014

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 10, 2012
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 13, 2012
• First Posted (Estimate): March 14, 2012

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): March 14, 2012
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 13, 2012
• Last Verified: March 1, 2012

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Inflammation; Coronary Artery Disease; PET; Atherosclerosis; Plaque
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pathologic Processes; Heart Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases; Vascular Diseases; Arteriosclerosis; Arterial Occlusive Diseases; Pathological Conditions, Anatomical; Coronary Artery Disease; Myocardial Ischemia; Coronary Disease; Inflammation; Acute Coronary Syndrome; Plaque, Atherosclerotic
• Other Study ID Numbers: LMU