Locking and loading the bullet against micro-calcification

European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, vol. 28, pp. 1370–1375

Abstract

AIMS: Despite recent medical advances, cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide. As (micro)-calcification is a hallmark of atherosclerosis, this review will elaborately discuss advantages of sodium fluoride positron emission tomography (PET) as a reliable cardiovascular imaging technique for identifying the early onset of vascular calcification (i.e. locking onto the target). We assess state-of-the-art meta-analysis and clinical studies of possible treatment options and evaluate the concept of vitamin K supplementation to preserve vascular health (i.e. loading the bullet). METHODS AND RESULTS: After a structured PubMed search, we identified 18F-sodium fluoride (18F-NaF) PET as the most suitable technique for detecting micro-calcification. Presenting the pros and cons of available treatments, vitamin K supplementation should be considered as a possible safe and cost-effective option to inhibit vascular (micro)-calcification. CONCLUSION: This review demonstrates need for more extensive research in the concept of vitamin K supplementation (i.e. loading the bullet) and recommends monitoring the effects on vascular calcification using 18F-NaF PET (i.e. locking onto the target).

Authors 5

1. Alexandru Florea Aachen Department of Nuclear Medicine

   Maastricht University Medical Centre · Maastricht University · Universitätsklinikum Aachen · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany

   Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Academic Hospital Maastricht, Maastricht, Netherlands

   School for Cardiovascular Diseases (CARIM), Maastricht University, Netherlands

2. Agnieszka Morgenroth Aachen Department of Nuclear Medicine

   Universitätsklinikum Aachen · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany

3. Jan A. Bucerius

   Maastricht University Medical Centre · Maastricht University · University of Göttingen

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany

   Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Academic Hospital Maastricht, Maastricht, Netherlands

   School for Cardiovascular Diseases (CARIM), Maastricht University, Netherlands

4. Leon J. Schurgers

   Maastricht University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Biochemistry, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands

   School for Cardiovascular Diseases (CARIM), Maastricht University, Netherlands

5. Felix Manuel Mottaghy corresponding Aachen Department of Nuclear Medicine

   Maastricht University Medical Centre · Maastricht University · Universitätsklinikum Aachen · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany

   Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Academic Hospital Maastricht, Maastricht, Netherlands

   School for Cardiovascular Diseases (CARIM), Maastricht University, Netherlands