A2 Refereed review article in a scientific journal
New opportunities for nuclear cardiology with total-body positron emission tomography/computed tomography
Authors: Saraste, Antti; Knuuti, Juhani
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Publication year: 2026
Journal: Journal of Nuclear Cardiology
Article number: 102652
ISSN: 1071-3581
eISSN: 1532-6551
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nuclcard.2026.102652
Publication's open availability at the time of reporting: Open Access
Publication channel's open availability : Partially Open Access publication channel
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nuclcard.2026.102652
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/515628897
Self-archived copy's licence: CC BY
Self-archived copy's version: Publisher`s PDF
Total-body positron emission tomography (PET) systems with a long axial field of view (LAFOV) are now commercially available and represent the state of the art in PET imaging. These systems provide wide anatomical coverage and markedly increased detection sensitivity. Clinical studies have demonstrated enhanced image quality, superior quantification, and benefits for tracer kinetic modeling through dynamic imaging. LAFOV PET/CT allows for substantial reductions in acquisition time and radiation dose while maintaining diagnostic image quality. Full-body coverage enables dynamic whole-body imaging, which enables tracer kinetic modeling across multiple organs and the large vascular structures, offering new opportunities for studying their interactions in cardiovascular and systemic diseases. Furthermore, these systems facilitate the development of new PET methods including pharmacokinetics of new tracers. This review discusses the emerging opportunities and challenges associated with the application of LAFOV PET/CT systems in cardiovascular diseases.
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Funding information in the publication:
Funding from the Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation, the Finnish Foundation for Cardiovascular Research, Finnish State Research Funding, the Research Council of Finland (343152), and InFLAMES research flagship of the Research Council of Finland (337530 and 357910).
