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18F-Florbetaben: a potential nuclear protagonist in the diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this mini-review is to summarize the evidence published so far regarding the use of 18F-Florbetaben for the evaluation of myocardial amyloid deposits, underlining the methodological differences of the various studies and the respective results.

Methods

Through a search on PubMed/MEDLINE, articles concerning the use of the radiopharmaceutical 18F-Florbetaben for the evaluation of patients with cardiac amyloidosis were selected. Case reports, review articles, editorials, letters or comments to previous publications were not considered eligible for evaluation.

Results

Out of a total of 14 publications, six articles were eligible for review. The analysis of the results highlighted the ability of 18F-Florbetaben to identify patients with cardiac amyloidosis; in particular, by applying well-defined acquisition times, it is possible not only to distinguish patients with amyloidosis from patients with non-infiltrative ventricular hypertrophy, but also to differentiate both qualitatively and quantitatively, the transthyretin forms from those from light chains of immunoglobulins.

Conclusions

The correct use of PET with 18F-florbetaben can allow to obtain an earlier diagnosis of immunoglobulin light chain amyloidosis allowing to anticipate the initiation of specific therapies and, possibly, increasing patient survival.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nuclear Medicine Unit, Fondazione CNR/Regione Toscana “Gabriele Monasterio”, Via Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy

    Dario Genovesi & Assuero Giorgetti

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  1. Dario Genovesi
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  2. Assuero Giorgetti
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DG and AG have equally contributed to the literature review, data collection and writing of this paper.

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Correspondence to Dario Genovesi.

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Genovesi, D., Giorgetti, A. 18F-Florbetaben: a potential nuclear protagonist in the diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis. Clin Transl Imaging 10, 5–8 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40336-021-00459-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40336-021-00459-4

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