Recent paradigm shifts in molecular cardiac imaging-Establishing precision cardiology through novel 18F-labeled PET radiotracers

In nuclear cardiology, numerous single-photon emission computed tomography radiotracers have been advocated to reflect various cardiac metabolic and functional conditions, but positron emission tomography (PET) may offer a more thorough evaluation, mainly due to superior characteristics associated with the latter imaging modality. This shift in recent years has been fueled by the introduction of F-18-labeled PET radiotracers. Due to physical and chemical key properties, these imaging agents allow for more flexibility of imaging protocols and a better employment in the clinic. Potentially rendering perfusion, viability, innervation and inflammation, F-18-labeled PET radiotracers may truly pave the way for a global assessment of the current metabolic and functional status of the heart, e.g. after acute myocardial infarction or for progressed heart failure. The present review aims to provide a precise overview of those recently introduced F-18-labeled cardiac imaging agents and how those state-of-the-art, top-tier radiotracers may redefine precision medicine in cardiology. (c) 2019 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license. (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)