Cardiovascular Imaging with PET, CT, and MR Imaging

PET provides high-resolution images of radiopharmaceutical biodistribution in vivo. Fluorine-18-labeled fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-PET is an established entity in the work-up of several oncologic disorders and is making forays in the diagnosis of inflammatory diseases, leading to increased use for cardiac and neurologic applications. Combined myocardial perfusion and metabolism imaging using FDG-PET is the gold standard for noninvasive assessment of myocardial viability. Advances in imaging instrumentation (including CT and MR imaging technology) facilitate noninvasive assessment of cardiovascular pathologies. MR imaging is best placed to provide the most comprehensive cardiac evaluation. This article addresses evaluation of the cardiovascular system by PET, CT, and MR imaging.