Clinical Research Directory

18F FDG and 68Ga FAPI PET/MR Imaging of Carotid Artery Plaque Vulnerability: A Clinical Study in Carotid Artery Plaque Patients

Carotid atherosclerotic plaque rupture is the main cause of ischemic stroke attacks, and early and precise assessment of plaque vulnerability can prevent ischemic stroke. High-resolution MRI can reflect vulnerable plaque features such as thin fibrous caps and large lipid cores, but cannot assess their metabolic information; Fibro-activated proteins (FAPs) of PET are specifically expressed in atherosclerosis and suggest vulnerable plaques by reflecting inflammation-induced fibrosis. The aim of this study was to apply 18F FDG\&68Ga-FAPI PET/MR imaging to investigate the vulnerability of carotid atherosclerotic plaques, to obtain quantitative evaluation indexes of active fibrosis within carotid plaques, and to clarify the PET/MR characteristics of unstable plaques in carotid arteries

Multimodal PET Imaging With 18F-FDG/SV2A/TSPO for Resection Planning in Drug-Resistant Epilepsy

This study focuses on the application value of 18F-FDG, SV2A, and TSPO PET imaging in the preoperative localization of epileptogenic foci in epilepsy. 18F-FDG PET detects glucose metabolism in brain tissue and is characterized by reduced metabolism during the interictal period. It is currently the most commonly used localization method in clinical practice, especially suitable for temporal lobe epilepsy, but has limited sensitivity to foci with insignificant metabolic changes. SV2A PET targets synaptic vesicle proteins and reflects synaptic density, showing reduced uptake in epileptogenic foci areas. It has high localization accuracy, can effectively supplement the diagnosis of 18F-FDG PET-negative cases, and also has good application prospects in non-temporal lobe epilepsy. TSPO PET monitors microglial activation to reflect neuroinflammation, with increased uptake in epileptogenic foci areas, and has unique auxiliary diagnostic value in refractory epilepsy and cases with concurrent brain injury. The combined application of the three can provide a more comprehensive imaging basis for preoperative localization of epilepsy, helping to optimize surgical plans.

Multimodal Imaging Assessment After Revascularization in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction

This prospective cohort study will enroll 20 patients clinically diagnosed with first-time acute myocardial infarction (AMI) who underwent interventional procedures (including percutaneous coronary intervention \[PCI\] and balloon angioplasty) at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University. Patient data, including routine blood and urine tests, blood biochemistry, electrocardiograms (ECG), imaging studies, and interventional procedure records, will be collected to assess eligibility for enrollment. The study procedures include patient screening and enrollment, obtaining informed consent, baseline assessment (including medical history, laboratory tests, ECG, etc.), an ¹⁸F-Pentixafor PET/MR examination, and follow-up. Images will be blindly assessed by at least two specialized physicians from the Radiology and Nuclear Medicine departments. The study aims to investigate the utility of ¹⁸F-Pentixafor PET/MR in evaluating coronary microcirculatory function, cardiac function, myocardial viability, myocardial inflammatory response, and the efficacy of interventional therapy in AMI patients post-procedure. Additionally, it will perform risk stratification and prognostic analysis for the enrolled patients.