Molecular Imaging of Plaque Vulnerability

• Status: Unknown status
• Trial end date: 2020-03-01
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: All

Summary

Accumulating data in the literature suggests that radiolabeled-choline (18F-choline) is a sensitive molecular tracer for PET imaging that is taken up in activated cells and, as such, is able to identify active inflammatory sites. The investigators hypothesize that 18F-choline is also highly taken up in vulnerable plaques in comparison to the stable ones.

• Phase: Phase 3
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: No

Details

• Lead Sponsor: Maastricht University Medical Center
• Collaborator: Center for Translational Molecular Medicine
• Treatments: Choline

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients known with symptomatic carotid artery stenosis (≥2 mm carotid plaque on duplex ultrasound), who are scheduled in the clinical setting to undergo a carotid endarterectomy or who are referred to conservative therapy;

• Age 18 years and older (no maximum age);

• Informed consent by signing informed consent form regarding this study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Dementia, pregnancy, nursing mothers;

• Serious neurological deficits at symptomatic side (hemi paralysis, complete aphasia);

• Severe heart failure NYHA III-IV and severe pulmonary dysfunction dependent on oxygen supply;

• Patients with contra-indications for MRI (ferromagnetic implants like pacemakers or other electronic implants, metallic splinters in the eyes, vascular clips, claustrophobia, etc.).